Mayor Bevilacqua announces fall recreation programs will be virtual

Sept. 25, 2020 10:00 a.m.
​Online registration will begin Monday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 a.m.
 
The City of Vaughan is launching an expanded virtual program series this fall to keep kids active, engaged, educated and entertained from the safety of home. City instructors will livestream popular recreational programs for preschoolers, children and youth remotely via Zoom.
 
The decision to focus on virtual programming comes in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The City continues to take a disciplined, responsible and measured approach, and is monitoring and assessing the status of recreation programs based on public health guidelines. In-person recreation programs, swim lessons and indoor permits (outside of arenas and pools) will not be proceeding this fall.
 
Fall virtual recreation programs will cover a variety of areas of interest, including STEM, French, chess, dance, sports and leadership/volunteerism. A series of educational and music programs are also planned for individuals with special needs. Some programming typically offered in person will now offer online versions of their programs, including:
 
  • Vaughan Playschool: kindergarten readiness series with specialties in math, reading and writing, and science
  • Vaughan Playhouse Academy: musical theatre programs featuring an end-of-session virtual production 
Classes will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and will run once a week for eight to 10 weeks. Fees range from $54 a class to $133 for a weekly series. Special virtual programs will also be available to children on P.A. Days. A materials and supplies list will be emailed to participants in advance. Assistance from a parent or guardian may be required. Program details and direct links to online registration are available at vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
Pre-registration is required for all virtual programs and begins on Monday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 a.m. Recreation Services has temporarily transitioned to online registration only to eliminate paper touchpoints. Registration is available at vaughan.ca/RecOnline.
 
Individuals who do not currently have a barcode and Family PIN must register for an account in order to process an online registration. For assistance, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email reccsd@vaughan.ca. Limited spots are available, but participants are encouraged to add themselves to the waitlist as participation numbers and ratios will be closely monitored. 
 
Adult and older adult virtual programming
 
Recreation Services continues to focus on health and wellness virtual programming for adults and older adults. Free 40- to 60-minute fitness classes, delivered by Vaughan Fitness instructors, continue to stream six days a week on Recreation Services’ YouTube channel. One virtual fitness class a week, called Gentle Wednesdays, is dedicated to older adults and features a slower pace, lower impact version of a traditional fitness class.
 
In-person fitness classes are also available to Vaughan Fitness members, as well as access to Vaughan Fitness Centres, by appointment only. Recreational and length swimming is available to pool plan holders and Vaughan Fitness members. Pre-paid single visits by the public will be available for all ages at a special promotional cost of $3.25 (plus HST) for a limited time. Aquafitness classes are available to plan holders and fitness members only, until further notice. Pre-registration is required for swimming and aquafitness.
 
Strict measures are in place to protect all users and staff from COVID-19 – facilities will continue to have controlled access, limited capacity and scheduled time blocks for patrons to sign up for in advance, with a 30-minute shutdown in between appointments for cleaning and sanitization. Registration is available online at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For more information or to obtain a registration barcode and PIN, please contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
Some common amenities in fitness centres and pools remain closed until further notice, including saunas, lockers, showers, lost and found, and water fountains.
 
Based on industry best practices and public health direction, steps have been taken to enhance air circulation and ventilation systems in Vaughan Fitness Centres in response to COVID-19. Air quality is constantly monitored and managed.
 
To receive the City’s latest updates on COVID-19, check vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
 
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 COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
 
QUOTE
 
“The City of Vaughan has been a leader in the fight against COVID-19. Our top priority remains the health and safety of everyone who lives and works here. This past weekend, the provincial government scaled back the gathering limits for all municipalities across Ontario to help slow the spread of COVID-19. It is clear that we are in the second wave of this virus, and we must continue doing everything in our power to reduce the impacts of the global pandemic in our city. That includes limiting opportunities for further transmission, which is why we have made the decision to offer fall recreational programs virtually this year. In Vaughan, we always lead with innovation. This is at the heart of our city-building efforts, and COVID-19 provided our team with an opportunity to get creative in thinking of different ways to deliver services, programs, and communications. This experience has taught us that by being flexible, innovative and focused, success can be achieved in combatting COVID-19. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to practise physical distancing, wear a mask or face covering when in public, and stay home as much as possible. Each of us plays an important role in flattening the curve. If we continue to work together and support each other, I know we will emerge stronger.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
  • On Saturday, March 14, the City closed all community centres and library branches in response to COVID-19. The closure also extended to events, all community centre permits/rentals, recreational programming, swimming pools, arenas and fitness facilities as well as the City Playhouse Theatre.
  • On Tuesday, March 17, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua formally declared a state of emergency in Vaughan, making it the first city in Ontario to do so. The state of emergency remains in place.
  • On Wednesday, March 18, Vaughan City Hall and all remaining City facilities closed to the public.
  • On Saturday, March 21, the City advised members of the public to avoid any public playgrounds and other high-touch surfaces in parks as they are not sanitized. Signs were installed in all parks with playgrounds throughout the community directing residents to stay off the equipment. 
  • On Wednesday, March 25, the City closed all remaining facilities within City parks to the public as a further precautionary measure. This included sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, the dog park and any other amenities.
  • On Thursday, May 14, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua announced the City had chosen to keep park facilities closed to keep the community safe and healthy despite the provincial government allowing for some facilities to reopen.
  • On Friday, June 12, the City reopened public tennis courts, skateboard parks, the dog park and parking lots.
  • On Friday, June 19, the City reopened a number of additional park facilities, including picnic tables, benches, soccer fields and ball diamonds (excluding premium and artificial), and basketball and bocce courts.
  • On Friday, June 26, the City reopened splashpads and public washrooms.
  • On Friday, July 24, playgrounds reopened in Vaughan.
  • On Monday, Aug. 10, Vaughan Fitness Centres reopened at reduced hours and capacity.
  • On Monday, Aug. 17, select in-person fitness classes resumed.
  • On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Maple, North Thornhill and Vellore Village pools reopened for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment. Vaughan Fitness Centre hours were extended to full days. Vaughan Public Libraries reopened three of its resource branches – Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library – with regular hours, amended services and safety procedures in place.
  • On Monday, Sept. 14, Al Palladini, Father E. Bulfon and Garnet A. Williams pools reopened for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment.
  • On Monday, Sept. 21, Chancellor, Dufferin Clark and Woodbridge pools reopened for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment.
  • On Monday, Sept. 28, registration will begin for virtual fall recreation programming.
  • Other City facilities – including Vaughan City Hall, the Joint Operations Centre and the City Playhouse Theatre – remain closed to the public until further notice.   
LEARN MORE
 
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