Town opening select outdoor recreational amenities starting June 12

All other indoor and outdoor municipal facilities to remain closed

On June 8, 2020, the provincial government announced that many regions in Ontario, including Huron-Perth, can now move into Stage 2 of its COVID-19 recovery plan. This second stage expands the number and type of facilities that municipalities can re-open to the public.

In response, the Town of St. Marys will be re-opening its fishing quarry, baseball diamonds and soccer fields as of Friday, June 12. The Cadzow Park splash pad and the public washrooms at Cadzow Park, Town Hall and Milt Dunnell Field will be open as of Friday, June 19. The municipality previously re-opened its boat ramp, skate park and tennis/pickleball courts.

The Town is keeping all other indoor and outdoor facilities closed at this time. All programs and rentals at Town facilities are cancelled indefinitely, and all events have been cancelled or postponed. The municipality is taking a cautious, measured approach to re-opening, with a goal of balancing public safety and affordability.

“We understand the Province’s push to get life back to normal and are eager to welcome residents back to our facilities,” said Mayor Al Strathdee. “But we need to be sure that we can open our amenities in a way that safeguards the health and well-being of our residents and our staff.”

“With gathering sizes still capped at 10 and physical distancing requirements in place, the number of people we could allow in facilities at one time is very limited. At the same time, costs for cleaning and staffing are increasing,” he continued. “We need to ensure that we can operate our facilities in a way that is fiscally responsible before we decide to re-open them.”

A list of the amenities able to re-open in Stage 2 of the Province’s strategy is provided below, along with the status of these facilities and services in St. Marys. Updates to this list will be shared through the Town’s website (www.townofstmarys.com/covid19), local media and social media accounts. Residents can also contact the Town by phone with questions about the status of services: 519-284-2340.

Water recreational facilities

Fishing quarry

Opening Friday, June 12

Cadzow splash pad

Opening Friday, June 19

Pyramid Recreation Centre splash pad

Remaining closed at this time

Pyramid Recreation Centre pool

Re-opening plan is being considered, with no timeline set.
Swimming lessons, aquafit, lane swims and all other aquatics programs are cancelled indefinitely.

Swimming quarry

Re-opening plan is still being considered; a report will be presented to Council on Tuesday, June 23 for a decision.
Swimming lessons and all other aquatics programs are cancelled indefinitely.

Outdoor recreational facilities

Parks and playgrounds

Remain closed by the Province.

Rice Lake boat launch

Open

Tennis/pickleball courts

Open

Skate park

Open

Public washrooms

Public washrooms at Town Hall, Milt Dunnell Field (lawn bowling facility) and Cadzow Park opening on Friday, June 19.

Baseball diamonds

Province now allows up to 10 people on a ball diamond for team sports and “training activities,” but no games or scrimmages.
Working with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to have its site open for structured, team-based use and bookings of 10 people. Tentative opening is Monday, June 15.
All other ball diamonds will be open for spontaneous use starting Friday, June 12.

Soccer fields

Open Friday, June 12 for spontaneous use.

Indoor recreational facilities

Child Care Centre

Province has announced regular care can resume starting Friday, June 12, and emergency care will end on Friday, June 26.
The Town will not re-open regular care on Friday, June 12, but will continue to operate as an emergency centre until Friday, June 26.
A proper re-opening analysis is underway, with a report going to Council for a decision in the near future.

Day camps

Camp PRC is currently under review, with a re-opening timeline to be determined.

Community centers (including Pyramid Recreation Centre and Friendship Centre)

Province has eased restrictions to allow community centers to be used for programs and services. Indoor recreation is still prohibited.
Municipal community centres are remaining closed to the public, with all programs, rentals and events cancelled indefinitely.
There is currently no timeline for re-opening the community centre or the Friendship Centre.
Programs will continued to be offered virtually.

Service desks (including Town Hall, Municipal Operations Centre and Pyramid Recreation Centre)

No current timeline for re-opening to the public.
Town is moving many services online to reduce the number of in-person interactions at service desks.
Staff are determining what protective measures need to be put in place before re-opening.

Library

Curbside pick-up began Tuesday, June 9.
Province has permitted additional activities including computer access and contactless pick-up and drop off; these new activities are under review, with a timeline to be determined.

St. Marys Museum and St. Marys Station Gallery

Remaining closed to the public.
No current timeline for reopening.

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Contact

Brett O’Reilly | Corporate Communications & Events Manager
519-284-2340, ext. 432 | boreilly@town.stmarys.on.ca