Port Hope welcomes you as it reopens
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Municipality of Port Hope has shared details of its Roadmap to Reopen plan that began Friday when the province entered Step 3.
“We look forward to welcoming the community back to our recreational facilities ad to offering limited, modified programs and activities for residents to enjoy,” the bulletin said.
“To ensure the safety of staff and our patrons, we are implementing a staged opening for our indoor recreation facilities and programming.”
Day Camps
Day camps continue to take place until the end of August, with registration available on a continual basis for week-long sessions. Programming has been modified to meet the criteria set out by the province and health authorities during the pandemic. Visit porthope.ca/day-camps for details and registration information.
Recreational Swimming
Recreational swimming begins at the Jack Burger Sports Complex Wednesday, July 21. Reservations can be made for public, adult and family swims on-line starting at 9 a.m. Monday, and they will be on-going. Phone reservations can be made between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on July 19 and 20. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as capacity limits have been set to enable distancing in the change rooms. Starting July 21, patrons can also drop in during swim times, but space may be limited based on capacity. Check out the swim schedule and registration details at porthope.ca/aquatics, or call 905-885-2474.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons will be available, starting Aug. 2, with two options – twice weekly for four weeks on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and daily morning lessons for one week Monday to Friday. Registration opens July 26 on-line, in person and over the phone. Visit porthope.ca/aquatics for details.
Town Park Recreation Centre and Programs
The Town Park Recreation Centre remains the hub for modified Summer Day Camp programming. As well, staff are planning for the return of pickleball in the gymnasium. Information o pickleball schedules and reservations will be shared via the website and on the municipality's social-media accounts. Meanwhile, registered outdoor recreation and fitness programs will continue, along with the Parks Pop Up Program and Free Summer Fit Series. Check porthope.ca/recreation-programs for the most up-to-date information.
Facility and Park Rentals
Room and park reservations will be available at various facilities and parks with COVID-19 protocols in place. Some restrictions on availability will remain due to existing programming, maintenance needs and limited hours of operation, which staff will communicate at the time of booking. Birthday parties are not permitted at this time. To submit a booking request, visit the Facility Bookings page on the municipal website.
Jack Burger Sports Complex Arena
The Jack Burger Sports Complex ice surface is closed until fall, pending public-health guidelines. Check the municipality's website and social-media postings at the end of August for information on community ice rentals and public skating opportunities.
Ruth Clarke Activity Centre for Seniors Programming
A summer program schedule will remain available to Ruth Clarke Activity Centre members, with activities hosted at the Town Park Recreation Centre. The municipality will continue to work with the Ruth Clarke advisory board to establish targets for fall programming.
Administrative Buildings and Services
Municipal services remain available either virtually or by appointment. This approach is being maintained to ensure that staff can meet safely with members of the public in the context of the public-space limitations within municipal facilities. This approach will be re-evaluated next month, with updated information communicated for the fall.
Health and Safety
Residents are reminded that the municipality continues to follow the health guidelines mandated by the province. Staff will closely monitor capacity and traffic flow within recreation facilities to ensure physical distancing is maintained. All facility users will be required to wear masks inside all facilities, only to be removed on the pool deck or during designated programs.
Active screening protocols will remain in place for all who visit the municipality's recreational facilities, as well as contact tracing.
“We look forward to making our community back to our facilities and offering safe recreational programs for all to enjoy,” the press release stated
Check the COVID-19 webpage on the municipal website for additional details, and watch the Recreation webpage for new details as they emerge.
