Clarington unveils plan for a cautious reopening

Clarington June 19, 2020/- As we enter Stage 2 of Ontario's framework to reopening the Province, the Municipality of Clarington is taking a cautious approach to reopening its amenities and services to protect staff and public health. Clarington has prepared a list of services and amenities showing what is opening, including our splash pads and summer camps.

Below is a list that outlines what is open and closed. Details and guidelines for rules of use will be released in the next few weeks on Clarington's dedicated COVID-19 update page, www.clarington.net/COVID-19.

• Splash Pads - most will open on June 19; some will be active on June 20, except for the Orono splash pad, which is closed for park construction.
• Modified Summer Camps will start on July 20. Camps will be located at four facilities: South Courtice Arena, Courtice Community Complex, Bowmanville Indoor Soccer, Diane Hamre Recreation Complex. They will have limited capacity and include eight children and two camp counsellors. Registration information and safety protocols will be released next week.
• Swimming pools will not reopen at this time. We are waiting for guidelines from the Ministry of Health as the current rules in place are not clear on how to implement protective COVID-19 measures in the pool.
• Indoor facility permits will be cancelled up until Labour Day as our facilities remain under a Provincial closure order. Outdoor field permits will also not be issued at this time. Fields are open for residents to use following all Provincial orders, especially physical distancing. Limited team training is allowed, including small-scale drills based on physical distancing. Team practice and scrimmages are not permitted.
• Town Hall will reopen to the public on July 13. Details on how to access services will be released next week.
• Other buildings will slowly follow reopening protocols as Clarington begins to welcome residents.

The Municipality continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and all related developments. We know that residents are eager to access all the amenities and start using our recreation facilities. 

"Believe me, we want to welcome our residents and open up all of our facilities. They are the heart of our community. Ultimately, this is about public confidence; we are working diligently to reopen with all safety protocols in place to protect both staff and residents. We continue to proceed with caution as we face an unprecedented situation and a pandemic that has changed the face of society as we know it. Reopening may take a little time. Please be patient. We don't want to erase the progress we have made to stem the spread of COVID-19," said Mayor Foster.

The Municipality will continue to issue daily updates at 4 p.m. on our website, www.clarington.net/COVID-19. All the latest information on reopening and safety protocols will be posted and shared on social media.

The Municipality would like to thank all of our residents for your patience and support as we slowly return to a new normal.

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Media Contact:
Basia Radomski
Communications Manager
905-623-3379 ext. 2214