COVID-19 Update: Reopening of Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex and Other Reminders

Jul 24, 2020

As part of Stage 3 of the Province’s COVID-19 restart plans, the City of Greater Sudbury will partially reopen Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex on Monday, August 3.

One ice pad will open on that date, while the second pad will potentially open later in August, based on demand. In line with provincial orders and Public Health directives, a number of measures will be in place to ensure the safety of users and staff. These measures include, but are not limited to:

• 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.
• 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. Exhibition games and scrimmages are permitted as long as they follow these rules.
• A maximum of 40 skaters will be permitted on the ice surface at a time.
• 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.
• 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.

“Even in the hot summer months, our community loves its hockey,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “This is the only arena that is typically open during the summer months, and I know a lot of residents will be excited to get back out there. We can’t let that excitement get in the way of being smart and staying safe. Keep your distance where you can and keep your mask on when you’re not actually playing. And if you’re feeling ill – put those game plans on ice until you’re feeling better.”

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.

 

Other Updates Related to Provincial Phase 3

Provincial Offences Office
The Provincial Offences Office is now open, by appointment only, for the following services:
• Payment of tickets and fines
• Pickup of appeal documents
• Filing of extensions of time to pay fines
• Trial requests
• Early resolution requests

Please call the Provincial Offences Office at 705-674-4455, extension 2299 to make an appointment. Residents are encouraged to continue to use online or telephone services for Provincial Offences Act matters.

The Provincial Offences Court remains closed and all Provincial Offences Act matters scheduled from Monday, March 16, 2020, through to and including Friday, September 11, 2020, have been adjourned and will be rescheduled to a later date.

Marriage Licences
Planning to tie the knot? Due to increased demand for Clerk’s Services, marriage licences are currently being issued by appointment only to avoid long wait times. Appointments can be booked in advance by visiting www.greatersudbury.ca/marriage-licences. Each appointment takes approximately one hour and there are a limited number of appointments available each day. Couples must wear a face covering or non-medical mask when attending Tom Davies Square.

Sports Fields
The City has reviewed the recent provincial announcement as it relates to the reopening of sports fields, and is consulting with user groups to determine demand. More information will be shared over the coming days.

In the meantime, local sports association teams can continue to book play fields at James Jerome Sports Complex (soccer) and Terry Fox Sports Complex (baseball). Sports organizations are required to ensure they are following all mandated provincial orders and Public Health guidelines for their activities. For more information, call Parks Services at 705-674-4455, extension 4578.

 

Reminders: Other Services
• Work continues to prepare the six major library branches for reopening. These branches – Main, New Sudbury, South End, Lively, Chelmsford and Valley East – and the Citizen Service Centre counters within them, will reopen in August. More details will be available soon.
• Due to the extensive safety protocols that must be in place, as well as uncertain demand and traditional lower usage during the summer months, further evaluation is required on the potential reopening of fitness centres. More information will be shared in the coming weeks
• Tom Davies Square is open, but public access is limited to the main floor, including public washrooms. Residents are encouraged to continue to use online services and to make an appointment through 311 before visiting. A full list of online services can be found at www.greatersudbury.ca/eservices.

 

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. The City has a limited number of disposable masks available for visitors who forget to bring their own. For information on how we are making your GOVA Transit trip safe, visit https://youtu.be/vJIvXRcBhtw.
• 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.

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.