Most Vaughan facilities, including city hall, to stay closed until 2021

City continues to ‘use every tool in its arsenal to combat’ COVID-19

Yorkregion.com
August 6, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua released a statement Aug. 5 that most of Vaughan’s facilities, including city hall, will remain closed to the public until Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, and “potentially beyond.”

Bevilacqua made the announcement after all region’s in Ontario except Windsor-Essex moved into Stage 3 of the province’s economic reopening.

The mayor said the decision was made after “careful consideration.”

“I am confident it is the right one,” Bevilacqua added, describing how Vaughan has “continued to use every tool in its arsenal to combat the virus.”

“This experience has taught us that by being flexible, innovative and focused, success can be achieved in our fight against COVID-19.”

This also means that public consultation over key issues in Vaughan will continue online.

So far, Stage 3 allows gym goers inside the sport facilities and movie enthusiasts within theatres but there are variations in what’s permitted in each municipality. For example, Vaughan’s neighbouring municipality Richmond Hill recently allowed its library’s central branch to open for the first time in four months.

However, Vaughan’s announcement didn’t include the opening of its own public libraries. Instead, the city’s statement explained how Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) is still “offering a fully digital public library service to engage and educate residents of all ages.”

It also alluded to how VPL has the new web hub, which “features a variety of free online resources, including eBooks and audiobooks, films and television programs, music streaming services, e-learning courses, bilingual materials and more.

“Further content, such as virtual storytime, is available daily on VPL’s Instagram.”

The announcement was made days after the city declared Vaughan Fitness will reopen on Monday, Aug. 10, adding there will be “strict measures” in place to “protect all users and staff” from COVID-19. Vaughan Fitness is part of the city’s recreational services offered to its residents.

The city also stated that bylaw enforcement services are to continue, and in case people have to pay parking tickets, payments can be made online at PayVaughanTicket.com.

“Citizens can arrange an alternative method of payment or schedule a dispute appointment by calling Access Vaughan, and scheduled disputes are being conducted over the phone,” the city outlined in its Aug. 5 press release.

In the release, the mayor also thanked Vaughan’s residents for their role in fighting COVID-19.

He stated, “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.”