Mississauga mayor says reopening of recreation centres is crucial for residents

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Published January 31, 2022 at 11:34 am

After being closed down for nearly a month due to COVID-19 restrictions, restaurants, gyms, theatres and other indoor facilities in Mississauga are reopening their doors today.

Those locations will reopen at half capacity after being shuttered on Jan. 5 due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. It’s the first step in the Ontario government’s plan to gradually ease public health restrictions meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Larger venues, such as the Paramount Fine Foods Centre (home of the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads and the Raptors 905 basketball team) and Living Arts Centre, will also reopen today with capacity limited to 50 per cent or 500 people, whichever is fewer.

Mayor Bonnie Crombie said promising trends in Mississauga and across the province that indicate the COVID-19 situation is once again stabilizing mean it’s time to open the doors.

“I believe the time is right to gradually reopen businesses. I’m very thankful we got the news…from Premier (Doug) Ford that restrictions will begin to ease (today),” Crombie said at her weekly press conference on Thursday.

“In Mississauga, we’re once again able to open our doors at our community and cultural centres, including our fitness centres, arenas, pools, gymnasiums, museums, theatres and libraries, at 50 per cent capacity.”

Crombie reminded residents that proof of vaccination (QR code) is still in effect as the city reopens.

She added that, specifically, the reopening of recreational facilities is important.

“As mayor, seeing the closure of our recreational facilities at the beginning of this year was incredibly tough, and I know so many residents rely on them for their physical and mental health,” said Crombie. “So, I’m extremely relieved that these important services are going to be back up and running.”

Crombie also pointed to the importance of restaurants, bars and all other businesses–especially small businesses–opening their doors again to patrons.

She cautioned, though, that the move to reopen should be cautious and pay close attention to any public health developments as businesses in Mississauga cannot afford another lockdown.

The mayor also suggested there are signs of hope that the stress on Mississauga’s hospitals is decreasing.

Crombie said the hospitals have “seen a significant decrease in the number of COVID hospitalizations compared to just a week ago, as well as more and more staff returning to work after having had to isolate due to illness or exposure.”

Also as of today, limits on indoor gatherings will increase from five people to 10, while the cap on outdoor gatherings will go from 10 to 25.

The province plans to ease COVID-19 measures further on Feb. 21.

The City of Mississauga will reopen facilities and services as follows:

  • All community centres and cultural facilities will reopen Jan. 31 (this will include access to fitness centres, arenas, pools, gymnasiums, museums and theatres at 50 per cent capacity)
  • Proof of vaccination with a QR code continues to be a requirement
  • Winter programs will begin the week of Jan. 31
  • Meeting and event spaces are available for permitting at 50 per cent capacity as of Jan. 31 with some restrictions
  • All libraries will return to in-person service on Jan. 31, with capacity capped at 50 per cent
  • Ticketed events are permitted up to a maximum of 500 attendees. Visit Paramount Fine Foods Centre and the Living Arts Centre online for more information
  • Food services are available for banquet rentals with some restrictions. However, concession services within arenas are required to remain closed
  • Mississauga’s museums will open on Feb. 3
  • The outdoor skating rinks at Celebration Square and Woodhurst Heights Park, as well as community operated outdoor rinks, remain open
  • Washrooms and outdoor recreational amenities open during the winter will remain open
  • A list of all operational outdoor winter recreational activities is available at mississauga.ca/getoutside

 

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