You asked, we answered
Access Vaughan answers the top five resident questions received in August
Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Looking for an update on the City’s COVID-19 response efforts? Access Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to all resident inquiries. Reach the City’s contact centre by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Every month, the City releases popular questions and answers received and responded to by Access Vaughan in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five inquiries received in August.
1. How do I book time to workout at one of the City’s fitness centres?
Strict measures are in place to protect all fitness centre users and staff from COVID-19 – gyms 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.
Pre-registration for fitness classes is also required and can be done online at vaughan.ca/RecOnline. Schedules – which have been modified in response to COVID-19 – and instructors are subject to change. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor fitness class cancellations will be posted to vaughan.ca/fitness. Refer to Vaughan Fitness Class Guidelines for more information.
2. Do I need a specific type of membership to access the City’s fitness centres and/or participate in classes? If so, how can I get one?
A Vaughan Fitness membership is required to access fitness centres and participate in indoor and outdoor fitness classes. To register, email reccsd@vaughan.ca with a completed Vaughan Fitness Membership Application. Read Recreation Services’ Membership Policies for more information. Additional details, including pricing options, are available at vaughan.ca/fitness.
3. How can I purchase garbage tags and bins?
While the City of Vaughan’s Joint Operations Centre remains closed to the public, garbage tags for over-the- limit garbage (more than three items) are available by calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Staff will mail out these items. Payment will be taken over the phone using Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
A new temporary bin exchange program is also being offered, which allows residents to replace broken City-issued blue boxes and green bins that have the City logo through home delivery. To request an exchange and arrange a delivery, call Access Vaughan. Visit vaughan.ca/waste for more information.
4. When will Vaughan City Hall reopen?
The City of Vaughan has taken a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to closing – and gradually reopening – City facilities and amenities to the public in response to COVID-19. The decision has been made to extend the closure of some City facilities to the public until Jan. 4, 2021, at the earliest – including Vaughan City Hall. This marks one in a series of steps to protect the health and safety of citizens and staff.
Throughout the pandemic, city-building has continued with essential services uninterrupted and many programs introduced through online, teleconference or modified in-person methods. Visit vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan for the latest information on reopenings. Updates are posted as they become available.
5. How do I get more information on what is open and closed in Vaughan?
Residents looking for more information on ongoing services, recent reopenings, continued closures and programs that have been impacted by COVID-19 can visit:
- vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan for a complete list of what has reopened in the city.
- vaughan.ca/CityUpdate to sign up for the City’s eNewsletter and receive news as it is released.
- the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels to stay up to date on the latest news.
While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, most in-person services have been suspended at this time. Many virtual programs and services are in place. Access Vaughan will respond promptly to all phone or email inquiries in priority sequence during regular business hours – Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Outside of these core hours, a live agent will be available to respond to municipal emergencies, including COVID-19-related inquiries 24/7. More information is available at vaughan.ca/AccessVaughan.
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.
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