Splash pads to reopen by end of month

On, Monday, June 15, the Ontario government announced that municipalities within the Durham Region Public Health Unit – including the Town of Whitby – can move into Stage 2 to re-open our local economy.

Here’s what residents need to know as the Town moves into Stage 2:

Summer Camps

On Wednesday, June 3, the municipality announced the cancellation of all in-person Town of Whitby, Community Connection, and Station Gallery summer day camps, including the Junior Fire Camp offered by Whitby Fire and Emergency Services.

Registration for virtual summer camps and programs begins this Monday, June 29, at 9 a.m. Whether it’s cooking, computer programming, sports skills training, kids’ craft activities or gaming, the Town has a virtual summer camp or program for residents ages 3 to 18. Check out the guide online at whitby.ca/getactive to plan your wish list. Camps and programs begin the week of July 6.

Residents can subscribe to receive ongoing recreation and camp updates directly to their inbox at whitby.ca/subscribe.

Splash Pads

Splash pads throughout the community are anticipated to be opened by the end of the month. Over the coming weeks, Town staff will be working to make washrooms available for public use near splash pads. The Town thanks residents for their patience as this work is completed.

A reminder that the provincially-mandated closure of municipal playgrounds and playground equipment remains in effect at this time.

Outdoor Sports Fields

Outdoor sports fields will continue to be open for individual use. Fields will also begin to reopen in early-July and be made available to Whitby-based outdoor sports teams for training purposes only, with safe physical distancing maintained.

To reserve training space, a permit is required. To obtain a permit, Whitby sports organizations can email facilities@whitby.ca or call 905.668.7765.

No games or scrimmages will be allowed at this time, as required under current provincial guidelines.

Community Centres

Some Whitby community centres will begin to reopen in July for small group meeting room rentals only. No recreational programming will run at this time.

Meeting room capacities have been decreased to help ensure safe physical distancing. Groups of less than 10 people interested in booking a space can email facilities@whitby.ca or call 905.668.7765 to learn more about room availability.

Town Hall and Garden Street Offices

Whitby’s Town Hall and Garden Street offices will be open for appointment only starting August 4. Visitors will be asked to follow the onsite health and safety guidelines, with appointments spaced out to ensure safe physical distancing.  

Outdoor events

The Town has cancelled all of its in-person events, town-supported events, and third-party permits to the end of the summer, up to and including the Harvest Festival on September 19, 2020.

Whitby Public Library

The library continues to offer contactless pickup service at the Central Library and Brooklin Branch, with Rossland Branch pickup service to begin by Friday, June 26. Book drops have also been opened at the Central Library and Brooklin Branch for residents to return library materials. The library is currently exploring ways to offer computer access.

MORE INFORMATION

While public access to facilities will remain limited during Stage 2 to protect the health and well-being of staff and our community, residents are encouraged to contact the Town through email or phone. For a complete listing of contact information for Town departments, visit whitby.ca/contactus. 

For ongoing updates on what is closed, cancelled or reopening in Whitby, visit whitby.ca/reopening.

As a reminder, public health officials continue to stress the importance of practicing safe physical distancing, regardless of where you live in the province, to slow the spread of COVID-19. When outdoors, residents are reminded to do their part to stay apart by maintaining a distance of at least two metres (or six feet) between themselves and any person living outside of their household and social circle.