Pools set to reopen

Sept. 2, 2020 1:00 p.m.
City of Vaughan

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Vaughan continues to take disciplined approach to reopening facilities in response to COVID-19

 
As the City of Vaughan continues to reopen, so do additional facilities. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, select community centre pools will reopen to the public for recreational and length swimming, as well as aquafitness. Availability will be limited and reassessed in the coming weeks. The City will be taking a staggered approach to reopen pools:
 
  • Tuesday, Sept. 8: Maple, North Thornhill and Vellore Village pools
  • Monday, Sept. 14: Al Palladini, Father E. Bulfon and Garnet A. Williams pools
  • Monday, Sept. 21: Chancellor, Dufferin Clark and Woodbridge pools 
Recreational and length swimming will be available to pool plan holders and Vaughan Fitness members. Pre-paid single visits by the public will be available 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. These facilities and activities will be available on a limited basis and at a reduced capacity. Pre-registration is required to use the pool and can be done at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. For assistance, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.  
 
Prior to arriving at the community centre pool, a provincial public health self-assessment is required. Masks must be worn upon entry, exit and while travelling through the facility and on the pool deck. A mask or face covering is not required in the pool. Enhanced daily cleaning and disinfection of high traffic surfaces and areas will be implemented, including in changerooms. Access to changerooms will be limited and users are encouraged to come as prepared as possible to swim. Lockers and showers will not be available until further notice. To view pool guidelines, the check-in procedure and schedules, visit vaughan.ca/swim.
 
Upcoming reopenings include arenas, by permit only. Al Palladini Arena’s twin ice pads will open on Thursday, Sept. 3 while all other arenas will open Monday, Sept. 14. Registered swim lessons and general recreation programs will be considered after Thanksgiving. For updates, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.
 
The decision to reopen more facilities is informed by a risk model developed by the City with public safety always being the priority. The risk model uses Vaughan-specific data and reflects guidance issued by York Region Public Health and the provincial government, such as the ongoing extension of province-wide emergency orders and the announcement enabling York Region to enter Stage 3 of the reopening framework on Friday, July 24.
 
Fitness centre update
 
As of Tuesday, Sept. 8, fitness centres will be extending their hours of operation. All City fitness centres will be open Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., except for Father E. Bulfon Community Centre, which will close at 5 p.m. on weekends.
 
Strict measures are in place to protect all users and staff from COVID-19 – gyms will continue to have controlled access, limited capacity and scheduled workout time blocks for patrons to sign up for in advance. Workout blocks are 75 minutes each, with a 30-minute shutdown in between appointments for cleaning and sanitization. Members can register 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.
 
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.
 
QUOTE
 
“The City continues to take a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to reopening Vaughan. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that starting Sept. 8, select City pools will reopen for recreational and length swimming as well as aquafitness classes by appointment only. This decision is in line with the City's risk model, which is informed by public health experts’ advice. While we have come a long way, our battle with COVID-19 is not over. We must continue to employ every tool in our arsenal to protect people and save lives. This includes practising physical distancing, wearing a mask or face covering indoors or when physical distancing is not possible, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. We must continue to use our common sense, intelligence and make wise choices to eradicate COVID-19. Every one of us has a role to play in defeating this virus. We are all in this together, and 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.
  • Effective 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. In addition to the playground closures a few days earlier, 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 will reopen for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment. Vaughan Fitness Centre hours will be extended to full days. Vaughan Public Libraries will reopen 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 will reopen for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment.
  • On Monday, Sept. 21, Chancellor, Dufferin Clark and Woodbridge Pools will reopen for recreational and length swimming and aquafitness classes by appointment.
  • Other City facilities – including Vaughan City Hall, the Joint Operations Centre and the City Playhouse Theatre – remain closed to the public until further notice.   
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