Get ready to ‘blossom’ with Vaughan’s spring recreation programs

Feb. 14, 2022 8:30 a.m.
​Registration begins Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 8:30 a.m.

 

Wiarton Willie has predicted an early spring, and with warmer weather on everyone’s mind, the City of Vaughan has launched its Spring Recreation eGuide featuring in-person and virtual programs for all ages. Online registration begins on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 8:30 a.m. at vaughan.perfectmind.com.

In addition, spring swim lesson and aquatic leadership course schedules are now viewable at vaughan.ca/swim. Online registration for swim programs opens on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8:30 a.m. at vaughan.perfectmind.com.

In-person spring recreation programs
Programming will take place at community centres across Vaughan, except for Garnet A. Williams while it remains closed for renovations until 2023. Programs will start on Saturday, March 26 and include:  

  • Family programs: rollerblading, baby playdates and sing-alongs, STEM, arts and crafts, Easter-themed workshops, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day craft workshops
  • Preschool: arts and crafts, dance, martial arts, t-ball, STEM and a Vaughan Playschool kindergarten readiness series with specialties in math, reading, writing, science and French
  • Children: anime, jewelry making, spelling bees, taekwondo, dance, robotics and sports
  • Youth: public speaking, sports and watercolour painting
  • Adult: painting, public speaking, dance and sports
  • Older adult: fitness, line dancing, pickleball and cornhole toss
  • Special needs: social and life skills and adaptive gymnastics
  • March break camps and P.A. Day programs
  • City Playhouse Academy musical theatre classes for all ages

Virtual spring recreation programs

All programs will be delivered via Zoom for all ages. Programs start on Saturday, March 26 and include:

  • Roblox and how to create YouTube videos
  • Life skills programs for youth, including resume building and job interviews, money management and volunteer leadership
  • Kindergarten readiness education programs with specialties in math, reading and writing
  • Education and music series for individuals with special needs, featuring one-on-one support  

Swim lessons

Starting on Saturday, March 26, all learn-to-swim lessons will be offered at community centre pools. Swim Instructors will remain on deck while instructing learn-to-swim lessons. A parent or guardian will be required to participate in the water for Preschool 1 to 5 and Swimmer 1 to 3 swim levels, for both group, private/semi-private lessons and special needs swim lessons. Parents and guardians must be comfortable in shallow water and actively assist their child with what the instructor is demonstrating on deck. The ability to swim is not a requirement. 

One parent or guardian aged 14 years or older can attend with a maximum of two children aged seven to nine registered in the same class. One parent or guardian aged 16 years or older can attend with a maximum of two children aged six years and younger registered in the same class. Only the child needs to be registered.

Lessons include all levels of the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program for toddlers aged four months old and up, to adults. Read a complete list of classes online (PDF) and schedules at vaughan.perfectmind.com.

Pre-registration is required and opens at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 at vaughan.perfectmind.com. The online registration system features enhanced search filters, allowing you to sort by level, location, day and time. Parents and guardians who are unsure about what level to register their child in can get a free assessment from a City of Vaughan lifeguard during any recreational swim. Regular admission policies apply. Visit vaughan.ca/swim for recreational swim times and fees.  

Aquatic leadership programs

Swim instructors and lifeguards are important part-time jobs, and the City is always hiring. Training and certification in aquatic leadership courses – delivered by the City’s aquatic leadership staff – will be available at select community centre pools starting on Saturday, March 26. Pre-registration is required and opens at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 at vaughan.perfectmind.com. For more information, read the Aquatic Leadership brochure.

Masks are mandatory when entering, exiting, and travelling through City facilities, and while watching or waiting for participants in programs. Masks must be worn while participating in programs, except during physical activity.

If you require assistance creating an online registration account, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email RecCSD@vaughan.ca or watch this short informational video. 

Proof of vaccination

All patrons visiting a City community centre must present the Province of Ontario’s enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code. Download it by visiting covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof, or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have your vaccine certificate mailed.

The following proof of identification is acceptable for those aged 18 years and older (note: photo ID is not required):

  • Birth certificate
  • Citizenship card
  • Driver’s licence
  • Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card, including health card
  • Indian Status Card/Indigenous Membership Card
  • Passport
  • Permanent Resident card

All individuals aged 12 years and older who are entering an indoor municipal recreation facility, where organized sports are played and/or practiced, must provide identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or a valid medical exemption. In-person campers aged 12 years old must comply with this directive.

The following proof of identification is acceptable for those aged 12 to 17 years:

  • Documentation issued by an institution or public body provided it includes their name and date of birth. Examples include:
    • Health card
    • Library card
    • Student ID

Also, children turning 12 years of age in 2022 will have a grace period of 12 weeks from their birthday in which they will not need to show proof of vaccination at indoor sports and recreation facilities. This will allow those who are turning 12 years old to have enough time to get vaccinated.

Individuals who are unable to be fully vaccinated because they have an active medical exemption will need to show their enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code, along with a piece of ID. A written medical exemption is no longer accepted to access businesses and organizations that require proof of vaccination. To obtain a medical exemption, individuals must:

  • ask an Ontario physician or registered nurse in the extended class to submit their exemption request directly to the public health unit where the issuer’s practice is located
  • once the exemption is accepted and entered into COVaxON by the public health unit, individuals will be able to access their enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code through the COVID-19 vaccination portal

Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on the virus, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.

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