Stouffville keeping town facilities, including gym, pool and arenas, closed for now

The town temporarily laid off 19 full-time leisure staff in January for a minimum of 12 weeks

Yorkregion.com
March 2, 2021
Simon Martin

Whitchurch-Stouffville entered the red zone on Feb. 22, but that doesn't mean town facilities are opening up any time soon.

Unlike some municipalities in York Region -- according to the town's spokesperson, Glenn Jackson -- the town is keeping the leisure centre, which includes the fitness centre, pool and gym, closed.

Other town facilities that remain closed for now are arenas, the museum and 19 on the Park. The library is offering curbside pickup, but is closed to in-person visits.

On January 21, council elected to close indoor recreational facilities for a period of 12 weeks due to the impacts of the COVID-19-related restrictions and lockdowns, Jackson said. The town also temporarily laid off 19 full-time staff due to revenue shortfalls at the time. The temporary layoffs affected the leisure and community services department, which oversees parks, arenas, the museum, special events, downtown viability and the Leisure Centre, including aquatics, fitness and recreation programs. The town said the layoffs would be for a minimum of 12 weeks.

“This is a sad day for Whitchurch-Stouffville,” Mayor Iain Lovatt said at the time. “This is not something we ever want to do, and this decision did not come without serious contemplation. We must deal with these challenges head-on and make decisions that are best for the taxpayers.”

The closures of the facilities will be reviewed monthly during the 12-week period.