UPDATE: Catering only to locals, Vaughan’s ice rinks to open Feb. 1, if weather permits

There will be new measures to keep leisure activities safe in time of pandemic

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 29, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

On Jan. 28, the City of Vaughan spelled out details of new safety measures to which residents must adhere to enjoy ice skating.

Catering to skaters who are residents of Vaughan, beginning Jan. 28 at 8:30 a.m., pre-registration for outdoor recreational skating is required at vaughan.perfectmind.com.

All five of Vaughan’s outdoor rinks will be open every day from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Feb. 1 until March, if weather allows.

All skaters, who need to complete the provincial public health helf-assessment prior to arriving at an outdoor rink, are required to provide proof of registration and arrive no more than 10 minutes before their reserved skate time.

TENNIS COURTS TURN INTO ICE RINKS

Due to the "popularity of outdoor skating", the city is also currently working to "provide natural ice rinks on the tennis courts at Maple Community Centre and North Thornhill Community Centre".

"The creation of these rinks is contingent on the weather needed to make and maintain the ice," the city added. "Once operational, these sites will be part of the online reservation system and subject to the safety measures for outdoor rinks."

The city is also bring more portable washrooms to be added at skate areas and select highly-used parks and trails, with enhanced cleaning services provided.

Toboggan hills reopened Jan. 27 with a mandatory mask zone is in effect for all participants and observers. Also, on-site security guards will patrol on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A mandatory masks zone and security guards patrolling are also in effect at the off-leash dog park, which also opened Jan. 27.

Previously, Vaughan councillors thanked city staff Jan. 26 for their new measures that will be enforced to reopen dog parks and toboggan hills no later than Jan. 29, and outdoor ice rinks tentatively Feb. 1, if weather permits.

The new measures include new mats and benches to space out distances between families when they are putting on and taking off their skates.

Registration is going to be online to avoid crowds and there are going to be mandatory mask zones at the ice rinks.

Also, people will be allowed 45 minutes for their ice skating experience, and 30 minutes break, instead of 15.

"We will have 24-hour security and CCTV for trespassing," city manager James Harnum said, in reference to people who use the ice rinks for hockey.

Harnum also said there is going to be an "aggressive enforcement approach for trespassing" and toward "any crowds not adhering to the rules."

In case of people not following rules, it will be bylaw officers, not recreational officers, who will deal with them. Also, there is going to be more security guards.

Harnum also said the city has purchased additional signs and portable washrooms to encourage people to walk out in the trails.

"I think you achieved what we all wanted," Coun. Alan Shefman, who was behind the motion to reopen ice rinks and toboggan hills, told Harnum.

"This little outlet may help people ... an important achievement for all," Shefman said, in reference to mental health.

Coun. Rosanna DeFrancesca said while these new measures will be "taxing on our resources", people are "COVID exhausted", and she applauded the new, safer approach.