COVID-19 Update: Splash Pads and Other City Service Reminders

Jun 12, 2020

As the Province’s COVID-19 restart plans continue to move forward, the City of Greater Sudbury has been identified as one of the regions permitted to move into Stage 2, as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 12. This stage permits the safe reopening of some municipal amenities.

Once the Province announces services that can reopen, the City must review new restrictions and guidelines and develop plans that consider staff resources, Public Health requirements and financial implications. This, combined with group size limitations, additional sanitizing/cleaning protocols, training and other requirements, means there is a gap between when the Province makes an announcement and when municipal amenities can reopen safely.

“As a community, I'm very proud of our hard work, and as you can see, it's paying off," said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “While the Province has given us permission to reopen some amenities, it’s critical that we do so cautiously, and control the spread of COVID-19. We have been and continue to consult with our Public Health partners to develop customized reopening plans that keep the health and safety of our residents and staff top of mind. Decisions to reopen services require careful health and financial considerations."

 

New Services Opening in Provincial Stage 2

Splash Pads

Work is underway to prepare the City’s 14 splash pads for reopening. The regular opening of splash pads for the summer season takes up to three weeks. All splash pads are expected to be open by June 26, 2020.

As each splash pad reopens, the City website and social media channels will be updated. Please check the status of the splash pad before attending at www.greatersudbury.ca/play/recreational-facilities/splash-pads/

In order to reopen these amenities, staff must remove barriers, install signage, conduct safety inspections and perform seasonal maintenance after winterization.

Splash pads are unsupervised water play areas, and parents/guardians must supervise their children at all times. These amenities are not sanitized and users are reminded to wash or sanitize their hands well before and after use, and maintain a distance of two metres from others.

Bookings at Some Outdoor Fields for Recreational Team Sports

Local sports association teams will be permitted to book play fields at James Jerome Sports Complex (soccer) and Terry Fox Sports Complex (baseball) beginning the week of June 29.

As mandated under provincial orders, fields can only be used for training or instructional sessions, which adhere to physical distancing and group sizes of no more than 10. No scrimmages or games are permitted. 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.

 

Other Updates Related to Provincial Phase 2

Campgrounds

The City is evaluating the provincial announcement relating to privately-owned campgrounds. More information will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Child-Care Centres

The City does not operate any child-care centres, but is working closely with all licensed childcare operators to establish a timeframe for reopening. Licensed child-care centres in Greater Sudbury must adhere to strict guidelines before being permitted to open. More information on these plans will be shared in the coming weeks.

Pools

Due to the extensive safety protocols that must be in place before pools can safely reopen, and traditional low usage of these facilities during the summer months, further evaluation is required on the opening of these facilities. More information will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Businesses

Provincial Stage 2 also allows the reopening of a number of retail businesses and other services. The full list is available on the Province’s website at www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario-whats-each-stage#section-2.

 

Updates and Reminders: Previously Reopened City Services

Libraries

The Greater Sudbury Public Library continues to offer curbside pickup of items that were placed on hold before library branches closed. New holds and pickups are available by appointment at six branches beginning the week of June 15. For more information, visit www.sudburylibraries.ca/covid-19-update. In-person front counter services remain closed. 

GOVA Transit

Front-door boarding and fare collection will resume on all GOVA Transit buses on Monday, June 15. Temporary, clear plastic shields have been installed in the operator area of all buses to physically distance employees and passengers boarding through the front doors and using the fare box. The use of non-medical face masks is encouraged.

Parks, Fields, Beaches and Open Spaces

Parks, beaches, trails, sports fields and other recreational areas and open spaces are open, and group and physical distancing requirements remain in effect.

These recreational areas and open spaces will be maintained to ensure public safety, however services may be delayed. This means grass cutting, garbage cleanup and other general maintenance activities may take longer than usual.

No lifeguard supervision is available at municipal beaches. Rescue equipment will be placed at beaches, however, residents who choose to swim will do so at their own risk.  Daily inspections, such as water safety checks, will not occur. Water quality testing will continue by Public Health.

Safety protocols are being developed to reopen public washrooms at beaches. More information on the opening of these facilities will be shared once details are finalized.

 

Updates and Reminders: Cancelled and Closed Services

  • Due to continued provincial restrictions on indoor recreational group activities, community centres and field houses remain closed to the public until further notice.
  • As a result of the cancellation of the summer student program, museums will remain closed for the summer and all City-run summer camps and programs are cancelled, including neighbourhood playground programs.
  • Playgrounds, play structures and outdoor fitness equipment remain closed under provincial orders.

 

Important Reminders

  • As of June 12, the permitted size for a social gathering has increased from five people to 10. Physical distancing rules remain in effect and residents must stay two metres away from people who are not part of their household. To report violations, call 311.
  • City by-law officers and contracted security will 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.
  • Please remember that Public Health recommends you wear a non-medical mask as an added step to protect others when physical distancing is challenging or not possible, even if you have no symptoms of COVID-19.

For COVID-19 updates and information related to City services, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/covid, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/GreaterSudbury and www.twitter.com/GreaterSudbury.

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