COVID-19 Update: Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, Sports Fields Set to Reopen

Aug 11, 2020

After monitoring local developments and consulting with Public Health Sudbury & Districts, the City of Greater Sudbury will reopen Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex to the public today, with some sports fields available for booking on Friday.

“We have been working closely with Public Health Sudbury & Districts to keep an eye on the numbers, and it is encouraging to see them once again moving in the right direction,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “But that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. COVID-19 has not gone away, and it is critically important that we all continue to do our part by maintaining physical distance wherever possible, practicing good hand hygiene and wearing a non-medical mask or face covering. We have worked so hard to get to this point and no one wants to see facilities and businesses close up again. Thank you to each and every one of you for continued diligence in helping curb the spread of this virus in our community.”

As part of Stage 3 of the Province’s COVID-19 restart plans, the arena was originally scheduled to reopen on August 3.

One ice pad is now open, with the second opening on August 17. The facility will be open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight. For the time being, it will remain closed on weekends. To request ice time, email icebookings@greatersudbury.ca.

 

Sports Fields
Effective Friday, August 14, a number of sports fields will reopen for bookings by user groups.

These fields will be open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.:
• Terry Fox Sports Complex, Sudbury (four ball diamonds)
• James Jerome Sports Complex, Sudbury (two soccer fields, one ball diamond)
• Delki Dozzi Sports Complex, Sudbury (one ball diamond, one soccer field)

These fields will be open Monday to Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m.:
• Rick MacDonald Sports Complex, Azilda (one ball diamond)
• Cote Park, Chelmsford (one ball diamond)
• Centennial Community Centre, Hanmer (two ball diamonds)
• Oja Sports Complex, Naughton (two ball diamonds)

Parks Services staff will contact user groups to confirm bookings and details over the next few days. For more information, call Parks Services at 705-674-4455, extension 4578.

 

Libraries
Libraries continue to offer scheduled curbside pickup at the six main branches – Chelmsford, Lively, Main, New Sudbury, South End and Valley East. These branches are scheduled to reopen the week of August 17. More details will be shared in the coming days.

 

Reminders: Safety Precautions
• In accordance with instructions by Public Health Sudbury & Districts, residents are required to wear a face covering or non-medical mask when visiting any indoor City facility or when using GOVA Transit. For information on how we are making your GOVA Transit trip safe, visit https://youtu.be/vJIvXRcBhtw.
• Wherever possible, limit exposures to people within social circles of 10, as established by the Province.
• The permitted size for a social gathering is 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Physical distancing rules remain in effect and residents must stay two metres away from people who are not part of their household or social circle or “bubble.” To report violations, call 311.
• City by-law officers and contracted security will continue to patrol the use of municipal spaces, and signage will be in place to remind users of rules.
• Where there are concerns that people are not practising physical distancing, or where the number of users creates a situation where it is not manageable, the City will further review and implement changes

 

Safety Measures and Guidelines for Arenas and Outdoor Sports
In line with provincial orders and Public Health directives, a number of safety measures are in place for the reopening of the arena and sports fields. Users must ensure they follow all mandated provincial orders and Public Health guidelines for their activities. Guidelines and restrictions include but are not limited to:
• Amateur and recreational sports leagues may resume as long as they do not allow prolonged or deliberate physical contact between players, or have modifications to avoid physical contact altogether.
• Each league must contain a maximum of 50 participants. If a league has more than 50 participants, the league may divide into smaller groups. Players are not permitted to play against athletes outside of their league or group.
• Spectators at all sporting events, including professional sports, are subject to gathering size limits and physical distancing measures, with assigned seating where possible.

At the arena:
• Enhanced cleaning of public washrooms, dressing rooms, lobby area, high touch areas.
• Separate entrances and exits for each pad.
• Dressing rooms will be open. Each team will be allotted two rooms to support physical distancing. Enhanced cleaning will take place following each use of dressing rooms.
• Time allowed in the dressing room will be decreased from 30 minutes to 20 before and after the ice booking to allow for cleaning and disinfecting between bookings. Users are asked to arrive as close to “ready to play” as possible.
• Face coverings or non-medical masks will be required at all times except when on the ice.
• Physical distancing rules and face covering requirements remain in effect for spectators. A maximum of 35 spectators will be allowed for pad 2 due to size of the area and required physical distancing requirements.
• A maximum of 40 skaters will be permitted on the ice surface at a time.
• Players must bring their own labelled water bottles, towels, etc. No sharing is permitted. Any personal items left behind will be disposed of.
• While on the ice for practices, figure skaters, hockey schools or individuals working on skill development must adhere to physical distance measures.

For COVID-19 updates and information related to City services, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/covid or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

For the most up-to-date local information on COVID-19, visit the Public Health Sudbury & Districts website at www.phsd.ca/coronavirus.