Burlington making plans to open recreation facilities when pandemic lockdown rules ease on Jan. 31

The City of Burlington is making plans to take the first steps towards reopening on Jan. 31, the first day of the three-week next phase in the pandemic lockdown.

“The gradual reopening is a step in the right direction. While this pandemic continues to throw us curveballs, we must now turn our minds to how we can go about our daily lives while still protecting our health, safety, mental health and hospital capacities,” said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.

“Public health protection measures and protocols can also help our local businesses and schools remain open, and the City continues to offer the programs and services you depend on and enjoy.”

Capacity for Burlington recreational programs, services and rental occupancy will remain at 50 per cent of room capacity for rentals, events and programs.

Rental and program participants must come to the facility dressed and ready for their activity and leave the facility promptly following the activity. As a result of the capacity restriction, changeroom and dressing room space is also limited to 50 per cent and may not be available. Spectator seating areas are also limited to 50 per cent.

Proof of vaccination with an enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code is required for entry into city recreational facilities. Individuals can save the electronic version of their certificate with a QR code to their phone or print a paper copy. Both paper and digital versions of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code will be accepted.

Medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions will require a certificate with a QR code. Physician notes will no longer be accepted.

Download your enhanced vaccine certificate at the province’s website.

In addition to proof of vaccination, requirements for screening, masking and physical distancing remain in place for all recreation facilities.

For more information on vaccine status and what to expect at City recreational facilities, visit the city website.

Parents and/or guardians may enter a facility for a maximum of 15 minutes to drop off and pick-up a participant for a program, without showing proof of vaccination. Parents who are required to stay in the facility for the duration of the program must be fully vaccinated.

Recreation facility renters and program providers will be able to resume scheduled rentals in City and school board locations starting Jan. 31. Organizations and individuals have been contacted directly by staff for rental contract adjustments.

Booking requests for winter and spring rental times are now being accepted. For more information visit here or email requests to [email protected]

For in-person registered recreation programs, winter 2022 courses with program dates within the closure period up to and including Jan. 30 will be cancelled or rescheduled where possible. Registrants are being notified directly for refunds and credits.

Courses that were intended to start in early January and program dates extend beyond Jan. 30 will resume with the first scheduled date on or after Jan. 31.

Swimming lessons will resume with the first scheduled date on or after Feb. 5. Registrants are being notified directly and credits issued for classes cancelled during the shutdown.

Recreation courses with dates starting on or after Jan. 31 will run as scheduled. Registrants will be contacted directly by staff if a change is required.

There are still spots available in upcoming courses with start dates through February and March, including March break camps, and March break swimming lessons.

For information visit here.

Drop-in recreation programs for Jan. 31 onward are now viewable online.

Registration opens for residents 25-hours before program start time.

New for this season, drop-in programs for adults will open for registration seven days before the program start time. Adult drop-in programs will resume on Feb. 7.

Pickleball Book-A-Court times will be available for booking online starting Jan. 31.

Starting Jan. 31, pre-registration and screening will no longer be required for outdoor skating at Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond. Skating times will be open for casual drop-in daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. conditions permitting.

Residents are encouraged to call the ice conditions hotline, 905-335-7738, ext. 8587 before leaving their house, to make sure the pond is open.