City announces additional services now available as part of Stage 3 Reopening

City announces additional services now available as part of Stage 3 Reopening

BRANTFORD, ON: In close consultation with the Brant County Health Unit, and consistent with the City’s gradual approach to safely reopening non-essential services to the public, today, the City announces the following new service updates:

Splash Pads, Skate Park and Bike Park

Fencing at Brant’s Crossing Skate Park, Splash Pads at Harmony Square, Mohawk Park and Bridlepath Park will be removed today, July 23, 2020. Sanitization practices will remain in effect with signs regarding physical distancing requirements. Sign-in and monitoring of users at these locations is no longer required. Physical distancing (6 ft) from others outside of your 10 person social circle must be practiced at all times.

Sports Fields

All sports fields will reopen today for family and recreational public use. Select fields will be available for booking and game play effective tomorrow, Friday, July 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. as per the Stage 3 reopening restrictions and preventative measures for team sports and live sporting events, participant limits and outdoor gathering limits.

Lawn Bowling and Bocce courts will also open for public use, bookings and game play effective tomorrow, Friday, July 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Physical distancing (6 ft) from others outside of your 10 person social circle must be practiced at all times.

To book a sports field, lawn bowling or bocce ball please visit fieldbookings@brantford.ca or call 519 759-4150 x 5222

Park Washrooms

Washrooms required in order to support sports field use and other park functions will open tomorrow, Friday, July 24. Sanitization practices will remain in effect with signage regarding requirements for physical distancing and face coverings.

Remaining closed for the 2020 season

In accordance with the Provincial guidelines for Stage 3 reopening, amusement parks and waterparks are not approved to open. Earl Haig Family Fun Park will remain closed throughout the 2020 season.

Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre

Rinks 3 and 4 will be open on Wednesday, July 29 for Figure Skating and Athletic Team trainings only at this time. Skaters will be required to come prepared to go onto the ice. Dressing rooms will be closed at this time. Sanitization practices will be put in place with signs regarding requirements for physical distancing and face coverings.

Fitness reopening

Beginning Tuesday, August 4, the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre Weight Room and some fitness classes will resume with a number of new protocols.

What to expect:

  • To maintain a limited capacity of people at one time, online or over the phone reservations will be required to attend dedicated time slots to use the weight room and attend fitness classes.
  • Enhanced disinfecting protocols (for staff and patrons) and deep cleaning of equipment and high-touch services will occur.
  • Equipment will be spaced out in the weight room and individual stations will be set up for fitness classes to ensure proper physical distancing.
  • Directional signage will be in place to encourage one-way flow of traffic
  • The weight room will be available for use Monday to Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Additional time slots will be opened based on demand.
  • All weight room visits will be in 60-minute increments and there will be a maximum of 12 people allowed per time slot
  • A variety of fitness classes, ranging from 45 to 60 minutes, will take place in the mornings and evenings, and there will be a maximum of 12 people allowed per class
  • Beginning Wednesday, July 29 at 9:00 a.m., online reservations will be open to book use of the weight room or attend fitness classes. Please visit brantford.ca/RecConnect, email wgsc@brantford.ca or call 519-756-9900 to book a time.
  • Following the first reservation week (August 4 to 8), time slots will open up on a weekly basis each Wednesday at 8:00 am for the following week (Monday to Sunday)

Customers should note:

  • Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell or experience any symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Face coverings are mandatory when inside the building (but not required when exercising)
  • Arrive only 5 to 10 minutes before your designated time in your workout attire.
  • Water fountains will be available for water bottle refills only.
  • Designated washrooms will be made available and customers will be asked to change and shower at home after their workout
  • Regular Fitness admission fees will apply upon entering the facility after their time has been pre-booked.

The City recognizes the popularity of these services and amenities and is working very closely with the Brant County Health Unit to ensure they are safe for public use as soon as possible. Further information regarding the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre will be announced shortly.

Previously announced reopenings/available City services:

  • Running tracks Kiwanis and Bisions Alumni open for use Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m.
  • Parks and trails for walking and cycling while physical distancing
  • Parking lots at parks and trails
  • Benches
  • Northridge and Arrowdale golf courses
  • Disc golf at Mohawk Park
  • Tennis and pickleball at Steve Brown Sports Park (four people per court maximum)
  • Running track at Steve Brown Sports Park
  • Mulch bins
  • Dogford Park Dog Park
  • Dufferin Park Tennis courts from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (four people /court;
  • Bike Park at Rotary Centennial Waterworks Park from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Jaycee Park half-pipe
  • Skate Park at Brant’s Crossing
  • Multi-use pads
  • Picnic Tables and Shelters
  • Brantford Splash Pads at Bridlepath Park and Mohawk Park, Harmony Square
  • Woodman Park Pool
  • Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre pool

The following sports fields remain open for bookings for recreational/training use:

  • Jaycee Sports Park (softball)
  • Steve Brown Sports Park (softball)
  • Mayfair Park (baseball)
  • Cockshutt Park (hardball, excludes stadium use)
  • Kiwanis Field (football, running track)
  • Bisons Alumni North Park Sports Complex (football, running track)
  • Daubigny Creek Park, George Campbell, Steve Brown Red/Blue and John Wright Soccer Complex (soccer)
  • Rotary Centennial Waterworks Park (cricket pitch)

Please visit brantford.ca/closures for a complete list of City closures, cancellations and service modifications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay Vigilant

The City of Brantford stresses that all residents and businesses play a very significant role in successfully reopening our community safely. Please continue to follow these important COVID-19 guidelines to keep yourself and others in our community safe:

  • Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cover coughs or sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces and stay home if you are sick.
  • Wear a face covering (non-medical mask), such as a cloth mask in all public enclosed indoor spaces to reduce the risk of transmission and practice physical distancing (6 ft apart from others) in public at all times.

Additional updates regarding City programs and services are shared regularly on the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages and at brantford.ca/coronavirus.

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Media Contact: 
Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca