Town Working To Resume Programs & Services Starting November 16

The Town of Whitby and CUPE Local 53 Full-Time have successfully reached a three-year agreement, officially ratified by both parties.

The approved three-year agreement has zero impact on any current employee in their current position. The agreement includes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a paid holiday, a 9.5 per cent wage increase over three years, an increase to shift premiums, increasing personal days from three to four, and significant benefit improvements. With this agreement, the Town will be able to schedule new staff at times that meet the needs of our residents. We strongly believe that the Town’s offer is a fair one that balances the needs of our workforce and growing community.

The Town is now working to resume programs and services and will continue to provide updates through the website and social media. Thank you for your continued patience. Here’s what you need to know:

Curbside Waste Pickup

Effective Wednesday, November 15 at 8 p.m., the temporary waste drop-off sites located at 5015 Baldwin Street South and Iroquois Park Sports Centre will permanently close.

Regular curbside pickup of garbage, green bin organics, and yard waste will resume on Thursday, November 16, following the regular waste collection schedule, starting with Thursday area eight (see page two of the Waste Collection Calendar Guide). The garbage bag limit has been increased from four to six bags for the remainder of 2023. To stay up-to-date, download the Whitby Waste Buddy app from Google Play or the App Store or visit whitby.ca/Waste.

The Special (bulky item) Collections program will be delayed for the remainder of the yard-waste season; bookings may become available later this year.

Parks and Public Space Waste Collection

Starting November 16, public space garbage cans will be returned to seasonal locations in parks, and regular collection will resume.

We appreciate your continued patience as the Town works toward reinstating regular services.

Recreation Facilities and Programs

Starting Thursday, November 16, all Town facilities will be open, and all permits will resume.

The Town’s recreation programming will begin in a phased approach.

Phase 1: Thursday, November 16

Whitby Civic Recreation Complex Pool, Health Club, and Anne Ottenbrite Pool

On Thursday, November 16, the Anne Ottenbrite pool located at Iroquois Park Sports Centre will open at 5:30 a.m. and the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex pool and Health Club will open at 6:00 a.m. Health Club memberships will be automatically extended to make up for days lost due to the strike. whitby.ca/Active

The Whitby Civic Recreation Complex pool is offering free drop-in swimming from November 16 through December 31. Both pools will have swimming instructors available to assess children's swimming levels during recreational swim times.

Unfortunately, the Town’s “Learn to Swim” program will not re-start at this time and participants impacted by cancelled swim classes will receive an account credit for the full session, not just missed classes. If a refund is preferred, it can be requested by sending an email to parks.rec@whitby.ca. All credits will be provided through ACTIVE Net prior to winter registration (Dec 6). Thank you for your patience as we complete this process.

Community sport organization pool permits will also resume on November 16, please check with your sport organization for schedule information and plans to transition activities back to Whitby facilities.

Skating and Arenas

Permits for minor sport organizations including figure skating, ringette, and hockey for all arenas will resume Thursday November 16, please check with your sport organization for information on practices and games, as ice activities transition back to Whitby facilities. 55+ Shinny and all other ice permits will also resume on November 16.

Halls, Rooms, and Gymnasium Rentals

Permits for hall and room rentals resume November 16 and the Town is taking new bookings for all Town facilities. For information on facilities or to book a facility please visit whitby.ca/facilityrentals or email facilityrentals@whitby.ca.

Whitby Public Library

The Brooklin Community Centre and Library will reopen on Thursday, November 16 and drop-in programs resume. The Whitby Public Library’s two other locations are currently open. whitby.ca/Library

Phase 2: Saturday, November 18

Fitness Classes, Aquafit and Aquatic Leadership

Effective Saturday, November 18 the Town will resume fitness classes, aquafit classes and aquatic leadership programs. Makeup classes will be scheduled for Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, and Instructor programs.  

Phase 3: Monday, November 20  

55+ Recreation Centre  

The 55+ Recreation Centre continues to be open this week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for some fitness classes and drop-in activities.

Starting Monday, November 20 the 55+ Recreation Centre will resume all programming, including evening programs at the 55+ Recreation Centre. The 55+ programs at the Brooklin Community Centre and Library, the Centennial Building and Heydenshore programs will also re-start. Mingles Café will remain closed at this time. whitby.ca/55Plus.

Upcoming Hockey Tournaments

Iroquois Park Sports Centre will host:

• The International Silver Stick from November 23 to 26,
• The Tournament of Heroes from December 1 to 3, and
• The Ontario Minor Hockey Association AAA Crossover Weekend Tournament from December 15 to 17.

Together, these major tournaments bring approximately $6 million in economic impact to the community over three weekends. More than 13,000 people are expected to visit our facilities during the tournaments and parking will be limited on event days. Please check whitby.ca/Skate for any public skate cancellations due to special events.

Winter Program Registration

The Wish List for winter programming will be available on ACTIVE Net on Wednesday, November 29, and Whitby residents can register for the programs starting at 9 a.m. on December 6. Aquafit registration starts December 7 at 9 a.m. Both the Anne Ottenbrite Pool and the Civic Recreation Complex Pool will be open for winter classes.  

Special Events 

Mark your calendar for the Whitby Lights the Night Christmas Festival on Friday, November 24, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Whitby Civic Park (555 Rossland Road E). 

We’ll be counting down to light over 100,000 lights, the holiday tree and ground displays Opening ceremonies kick off at 6:30 p.m. Shop the Farmers' Market at Night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and join in the fun and festive activities, live performances, delicious local food, and a visit from Santa. Visit whitby.ca/LightsTheNight 

Don't miss out on important news and updates from the Town of Whitby. Subscribe to our news feed and get the information you need when you need it. whitby.ca/Subscribe.