City’s EOC approves plan to open select neighbourhood this season

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Harmony Square rink

BRANTFORD, ON: Every decision the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has made since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has been based on the priority of protecting public health and safety and ensuring we are doing everything we can to lower the risk of community spread.

The City of Brantford recognizes how much people value neighbourhood rinks at this time of year as they offer healthy outdoor options for physical activity. The City’s 22 neighbourhood rinks are primarily operated by dedicated volunteers who we rely on every winter to manage and maintain the neighbourhood rinks across the community. In order to open the rinks safely this year, the City wanted to ensure that these resources were secured again this season.

In consultation with the Brant County Health Unit and our region’s Medical Officer of Health, the City is pleased to announce that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has endorsed a plan to open a select number of neighbourhood rinks this season. 13 rinks are confirmed to open this season at the following City parks:

  • Donegal
  • Mohawk
  • Anne Good/Myrtleville
  • Spring Gardens
  • Tutela
  • Pleasant Ridge
  • Lincoln Square
  • Devon Down
  • Grandwoodlands
  • Seneca
  • Westdale
  • Moose Park
  • Prince Charles Park

While the City will work to continue to make other rinks accessible, there is at least 1 and in many cases 2 neighbourhood rinks that will be available in each of the City’s 5 Wards.

The City will provide personal protective equipment in the rink boxes to ensure face covering measures are being followed. Signage will also be posted highlighting COVID-19 measures that have to be followed to allow usage of the rink and advising that hockey games will not be permitted due to the risk of physical contact.

Neighbourhood rink volunteer training will take place next week and the rinks will open (cold enough weather permitting) shortly thereafter.

If you’d like to become a Flood Hero, we can use your help to get these rinks up and running as soon as possible. Please contact us at 519- 756-1500 to learn more about becoming a Flood Hero volunteer.

Let’s take care of each other

As the effects of the secondary surge of the pandemic continue to evolve, the City’s Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) is following the city’s COVID-19 case counts very closely and working with Public Health officials to ensure that any required protocols are in place.

The City of Brantford stresses that all residents and businesses play a very significant role in keeping our community safe and preventing Brantford from moving into the Red-Control level where additional restrictions would have to be implemented. Please continue to follow these important COVID-19 guidelines:

  • Stay home when you can and avoid close contact with others outside of your household
  • Wear a face covering
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Stay home if you are sick, even with mild symptoms
  • Download the COVID alert app

Additional updates regarding City programs and services, and the continuity of 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