Vaughan to keep most facilities closed until 2021

Urbantoronto.ca
August 10, 2020

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has announced most City facilities -- including Vaughan City Hall and the Joint Operations Centre -- will remain closed to the public until Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, at the earliest, in response to COVID-19.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, when Vaughan became the first city in Ontario and the first municipality in York Region to declare a state of emergency, the City has taken a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to closing -- and gradually reopening -- City facilities and amenities. Today’s decision to keep select facilities closed marks the latest step to protect the health and safety of citizens and staff.

The decision to reopen facilities is informed by a risk model developed by the City with public safety always being the priority. The risk model uses Vaughan-specific data and reflects guidance issued by York Region Public Health and the provincial government.

When visiting recently reopened amenities, citizens must follow all health and safety protocols, including maintaining physical distancing and frequently washing hands before and after park visits. Playgrounds are not sanitized.

“From the onset of our battle with COVID-19, the City of Vaughan has continued to use every tool in its arsenal to combat the virus. We have maintained a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to closing facilities and re-thinking our traditional modes of operation. We continue to employ these methods towards our reopening process. Our priority is the health and well-being of our citizens. Today, I am announcing that most of Vaughan’s public facilities, including City Hall, will remain closed until Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 and potentially beyond. This decision was given careful consideration. I am confident it is the right one. This experience has taught us that by being flexible, innovative and focused, success can be achieved in our fight against COVID-19. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the citizens of Vaughan for their meaningful contribution and for doing their part to ensure we emerge stronger, together.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

QUICK FACTS

• On Saturday, March 14, the City closed all community centres and library branches in response to COVID-19. The closure also extended to events, all community centre permits/rentals, recreational programming, swimming pools, arenas and fitness facilities as well as the City Playhouse Theatre.
• On Tuesday, March 17, Mayor Bevilacqua formally declared a state of emergency in Vaughan, making it the first city in Ontario to do so. The state of emergency remains in place.
• Effective Wednesday, March 18, Vaughan City Hall and all remaining City facilities closed to the public.
• On Saturday, March 21, the City advised members of the public to avoid any public playgrounds and other high-touch surfaces in parks as they are not sanitized. Signs were installed in all parks with playgrounds throughout the community directing residents to stay off the equipment.
• On Wednesday, March 25, the City closed all remaining facilities within City parks to the public as a further precautionary measure. In addition to the playground closures a few days earlier, this included sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, the dog park and any other amenities.
• On Thursday, May 14, Mayor Bevilacqua announced the City had chosen to keep park facilities closed to keep the community safe and healthy despite the provincial government allowing for some facilities to reopen.
• On Friday, June 12, the City reopened public tennis courts, skateboard parks, the dog park and parking lots.
• On Friday, June 19, the City reopened a number of additional park facilities, including picnic tables, benches, soccer fields and ball diamonds (excluding premium and artificial), and basketball and bocce courts.
• On Friday, June 26, the City reopened splashpads and public washrooms.
• On Friday, July 24, playgrounds reopened in Vaughan.
• On Monday, Aug. 10, fitness centres will reopen on a limited basis. City squash courts will also reopen that day.