Burlington Recreation Programming Re-opening Safely

*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.

Burlington, Ont. — Feb. 17, 2021 — The City of Burlington is excited to slowly and safely re-open City recreation facilities and welcome back participants in recreation programming. Facilities and programs will start to re-open with a phased approach starting the week of Feb. 16. Not all programs and facilities will be opened immediately as re-staffing and facility preparation is underway.

All Adult Virtual Fitness, Learning and Music Registered Programs already running until March 26 will continue as is with no change at this time.

Drop-in skating, lap swims, recreation swims and Aquatic Fitness will start to re-open this week and programs and locations will increase over the next two weeks. All programs can be viewed and registered for at burlington.ca/recreation.

“We’re cautiously optimistic for the safe, phased-in re-opening of our recreation programming. Staff are excited to welcome people back. Our COVID prevention measures are in place and it is expected that all participants and staff will uphold those practices. The more we work together, the more programs and services we can bring back to Burlington.” — Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community & Culture, City of Burlington

Restrictions for City facilities and recreation as a result of moving in the Red (Control) Phase in the Province’s COVID-19 framework include:

• 10 people maximum for indoor programs such as ice pads, gymnasiums, etc.
• 25 people maximum for outdoor programs
• Drop-in recreation programs will have a maximum capacity of 10 people, this includes skating and Aquatic Fitness
• Pool capacities for drop-in recreational swimming and lap swims will be reduced to ensure physical distancing can be maintained
• Bistro Express Curbside Pickup will again be accepting phone orders and providing nutritious home-style cooking for reheating at home. Pickup at Seniors Centre Main Entrance. Tap payment only accepted
• In-person instruction, including Learn to Swim and Aquatic Leadership courses will have a maximum capacity of 10 people
• Indoor pickleball activities are cancelled. Outdoor pickleball is available in Optimist and Leighland parks, weather permitting
• No spectators permitted at sports and recreational fitness facilities except for parent/guardian supervision of children

These restrictions will impact program providers in the following ways:

• For all team sports, indoor and outdoor game-play is not permitted
• Teams in City facilities and on City fields can adjust their programming to training and skill development with a maximum of 10 people indoors, up to two coaches and 25 people outdoors. Program participants are encouraged to reach out to their organization for additional information
• If you are a participant in a non-City program or team sport, please connect with your organization to understand how this may impact you
• No spectators permitted at sports and recreational fitness facilities except for parent/guardian supervision of children
• Parents/guardian must maintain 3-meter distance while in facilities
• No contact permitted for team or individual sports
• Limit duration of stay in a City facility or on City fields to 90 minutes (does not apply to sports)
• Require active screening, contact information and attendance for all patrons
• No live performances. Performing arts rehearsal or performing a recorded or broadcasted event permitted
• Singers and players of brass or wind instruments must be separated from any other performers by plexiglass or other impermeable barriers

Existing restrictions that will remain for City facilities indoor and outdoor recreation include:

• Physical distancing
• Mandatory face coverings
• Mandatory health pre-screening, pre-registration and online payment
• Mandatory masks while waiting in line outdoors

Anyone with questions should follow-up with their sport provider or user group or you can call Recreation, Community and Culture’s Customer service at 905-335-7738.

For more information about Recreation Programming and drop-ins, visit burlington.ca/recreation.

RELATED LINKS & RESOURCES:

• www.burlington.ca/recreation
• www.burlington.ca/playoutside
• www.burlington.ca/screening
• Halton Enters Red-Control Zone on Feb. 16 — What That Means for Burlington
• Some city services set to resume as Burlington moves to level red in provincial COVID-19 framework on Feb. 16 at 12:01 a.m.
• Halton moves to Red/Control Level, with revised instructions for businesses from Medical Officer of Health
• Premier Announces Plan to Gradually Return to COVID-19 Response Framework
• Province news release: Ontario Returning 27 Public Health Regions to Strengthened COVID-19 Response Framework
• Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework Updated
• COVID-19 public health measures and advice

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PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.

A consolidated page for information and updates on the work of the provincial Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force is available at bit.ly/COVIDVaccineUpdates.

Halton Region has also created a dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine webpage for up to date information on the status of our COVID19 vaccination program.

A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.

To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.

We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.

HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:

• Community questions and requests regarding City of Burlington services can be directed to Service Burlington by phone at 905-335-7777, by email at city@burlington.ca or online.
• Halton Region has created a Reopening Schools resource webpage for parents, students and teachers at halton.ca/covid19.
• For further COVID-19 information, including where to get tested, please visit Halton Region Public Health halton.ca/coronavirus
• Residents can stay informed at burlington.ca/coronavirus as well as on our social media channels: @cityburlington on Twitter and facebook.com/cityburlington
• Questions about the cancellation of Recreation programs can be directed to rentals@burlington.ca or liveandplay@burlington.ca or 905-335-7738
• City of Burlington: www.burlington.ca/coronavirus
• Resources for Residents & Non-Profit Organizations: www.burlington.ca/covid19resources.
• Halton Region: www.halton.ca/coronavirus
• Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
  • Provincial Emergency Orders: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200052
• Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus
• World Health Organization: www.who.int
• Joseph Brant Hospital: josephbranthospital.ca/covid-19
• Team Burlington Business Supports: burlingtonchamber.com/team-burl-supporting-burl-business-during-covid-19/
• Burlington Food Bank: call 905-637-CARE (2273), or visit burlingtonfoodbank.ca
• Food for Life: call 905-635-1106 and press 7, or visit foodforlife.ca
• Canadian Mental Health Association – Halton Branch: call 289-291-5396, or visit halton.cmha.ca

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*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist