Enjoy exercise classes and fun activities from the comfort of home

Feb. 12, 2021 10:00 a.m.
​Online programming continues to be introduced and enhanced during COVID-19 pandemic

The City of Vaughan continues to respond to the second wave of COVID-19 – including the Province of Ontario’s stay-at-home order – with many City programs, events and services continuing, virtually.
 
At-home exercise classes, creative activities and educational games – the City’s Recreation Services department has online fun covered!
 
New virtual recreation resources are shared on the Recreation Services webpage on an ongoing basis, including arts and crafts, Vaughan Playschool educational worksheets, and Vaughan Playhouse Academy drama activities. To keep the community engaged and entertained, the City also runs fun, family-friendly social media contests. For regular updates on recreation programs, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
A new set of virtual fitness classes are available via Zoom and are free for Vaughan Fitness Members. Running from Monday, Feb. 8 to Friday, March 12, classes include spinning, yoga, total body conditioning, barre, HIIT circuit training and Zumba. Pre-registration is required at vaughan.perfectmind.com, the new online registration system. Non-members can also participate for $50 for six weeks. Fees are pro-rated after each class. For registration assistance, call 905-832-2281 or email RecCSD@vaughan.ca.
 
Free full-length fitness classes (40- to 60-minutes long) are also streamed Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. on the recvaughan YouTube channel. In addition, the Vaughan Fitness team has filmed family-friendly, easy-to-follow five-minute exercises in a new Vaughan FITbreak series. Tune in to the sessions, streamed live weekdays at noon, on @recvaughan IGTV. For more information on virtual fitness offerings, visit vaughan.ca/fitness.
 
Fitness equipment packages are available for loan to current Vaughan Fitness members over the age of 18 for the duration of the current facility closures. Members can choose between a light or heavy package (while quantities last, limit of one package per household) and the program is free of charge – all that is required at the time of booking is a security deposit. Registration for the program is available at vaughan.perfectmind.com, the new online registration system. For more information or to obtain a member barcode and PIN, please contact Access Vaughan by calling 905-832-2281 or TTY at 1-866-543-0545 or by email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. 
 
WASTE
In response to COVID-19 and the Joint Operations Centre’s current closure, many services have moved online to assist residents with proper waste disposal. Residents can use the City’s Service Vaughan tool to exchange broken City-issued blue boxes and green bins and to purchase garbage tags. Visit vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan. To get helpful sorting and waste disposal tips and information, check out vaughan.ca/waste or download the free Recycle Coach app.
 
BUSINESS SUPPORTS
The Economic and Cultural Development team is monitoring the impact of COVID-19 and is ready to help the business community access support provided by the Government of Canada and stakeholder organizations. The department continues to offer advisory consultations via tele- or video-conference and email. They are also hosting webinars and virtual events. Business owners can also submit an application to be included on the Open For Business webpage – a list of local businesses currently open in Vaughan. The Vaughan business community is also invited to the 19th annual Vaughan Business Expo presented by Allstate Canada on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Space is limited – register to secure your spot at vaughanbusiness.ca/expo to learn from business experts, network and more. For additional supports, including virtual business advisories, interesting webinars and the latest innovations from Vaughan’s business community, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
 
EVENTS
City-led events continue virtually so residents can enjoy them from the safety and comfort of home. Coming up is the Lunar New Year celebration today at 1 p.m. and the International Women’s Day event taking place on March 8. Visit vaughan.ca/EventCalendar to stay informed about all upcoming City events.
 
LIBRARY
Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) continues to keep residents informed and educated with many online resources, including the following:
  • Virtual lecture series: Each month, VPL will host a new lecture and discussion via Zoom titled “Reflecting on Racism and Discrimination.” Visit vaughanpl.info/programs for more information.
  • vaughanpl.info/vpl_at_home: VPL’s fully digital library service features a variety of free online resources, including eBooks and audiobooks, films and television programs, music streaming services, e-learning courses, bilingual materials and more.
  • Virtual programs: Storytime live-streams, STEAM-activity videos, scavenger hunts, science experiments and more are available daily on VPL’s Instagram.
  • Extended Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi has been extended to reach the parking lot of Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library.
  • Curbside Pickup: The program is available at every library in Vaughan to provide customers with quick and convenient access. Reserve books and arrange a pickup date at vaughanpl.info/curbside. 
For more information on virtual learning resources with VPL, read the City’s recent public service announcement on supporting students virtually.
 
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council meetings are continuing. Upcoming agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more about how to participate virtually, including speaking live to Council via teleconference or telephone. Email or written communications are also accepted. Citizens can watch the meetings by tuning in to the live broadcast at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
 
The City is committed to involving citizens, businesses and stakeholders in conversations about municipal decisions that interest and/or impact them. There are virtual public engagement opportunities currently in the works for city-building projects. Visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more.
 
OTHER VIRTUAL SERVICES
The City of Vaughan’s online reporting tool – Service Vaughan – is a digital platform that enables individuals to easily submit a service request, report on non-emergency City services and track submissions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The tool is available at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan.
 
Many other in-person services have moved online, including:
  • Building permits: Citizens and building industry professionals can apply, track and pay for permits online at vaughan.ca/PermitPortal.
  • Engineering permits: Permits for pools, grading for sheds, home additions and more can now be submitted and approved through vaughan.ca/DEPermits.
  • Planning applications: The City has developed a process to arrange Pre-Application Consultation meetings and to receive planning applications digitally. Visit Development Planning for information on the application process. 
  • Parking permits: On-street, visitor and overnight parking permits can be obtained online at vaughan.ca/parking. 
Many services continue to be offered online or via telephone, including:
  • kid-friendly pollinator activities, such as butterfly origami, crossword puzzles and a Whose Home? interactive game available at vaughan.ca/environment.
  • the City’s digital art gallery – the Art Integration Collection – on Flickr, which features the 77 art acquisitions by local and GTA-based artists housed permanently in the collection.
  • the “explore online now, visit later” visitvaughan.ca website – developed in partnership with the Tourism Vaughan Corporation and Central Counties Tourism – which features museum tours, cooking lessons, educational webinars, roller-coaster rides and more about all there is to do and see in Vaughan.
By reinvigorating traditional services, enhancing digital platforms and modifying in-person programs, the City is delivering Service Excellence – virtually – throughout the global pandemic.
 
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Citizens can also visit:
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