Late yesterday, the Ontario government announced a roadmap to reopening, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health restrictions based on the province-wide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health indicators.
“Yesterday’s announcement from the province is welcome news and will give individuals and families a variety of additional options as we welcome the first long weekend of the summer,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “This announcement acknowledges the hard work many of us have undertaken during the current stay-at-home orders and reminds us that if we stay diligent this long weekend, we can get through this and look forward to continuing to open other valued amenities and services within our community gradually in the weeks ahead.”
Beginning Saturday, May 22, some Kitchener outdoor recreation amenities will begin to reopen with restrictions including tennis courts, basketball courts, skateparks, and sports fields. City crews are working throughout the community today to re-open as many facilities as possible, and that work will continue on Tuesday, following the long weekend.
In addition, Kitchener golf courses, Doon Valley Golf Course, and Rockway Golf Course will also reopen this Saturday, May 22 with online booking tee times available at www.kitchenergolf.ca
“We know how valued our City’s recreational amenities are to our residents,” added Chair of Community Services and Ward 7 Councillor, Bil Ioannidis. “As Public Works Week comes to a close, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many men and women in Infrastructure Services who will once again open our parks and other amenities for this weekend and who have worked hard over the past 15 months to respond to changes in provincial public health requirements.”
In line with the provincial roadmap, City staff is continuing to prepare for the possible reopening of other city amenities including splash pads and outdoor pools as directed by the province later in June and beyond.
For more information on what’s open and closed, visit www.kitchener.ca/COVID19.
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For more information:
Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca