As the Niagara region has now entered the Red ‘Control’ category of the Province’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, the City of St. Catharines has new capacity limits and restrictions on facilities and programs.
“We are clearly at a tipping point as Niagara has now been placed into the Red zone by the Province,” explains Mayor Walter Sendzik. “If we don’t gain control of the spread of COVID-19 in our community now, further restrictions will be the only option, and no one wants to see this. Today, we now have further restrictions on City facilities as part of the Red ‘Control’ category, but if we work together as a community, we can flatten the curve for a second time.”
The City’s approach to the Red category is based on limiting contact where possible, responding to the social, mental and physical needs of the community, maintaining enhanced safety protocols, and offering innovative ways to stay connected to the community via new programs.
“The City is doing its utmost to stay connected with the community, however as we have entered the ‘Red’ zone it will be in a different way,” said Director of Community, Recreation and Culture Services Phil Cristi. “We will be operating and offering programs where viable while ensuring we keep our community safe and healthy and continuing to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Province has outlined the following restrictions are required as part of the Red ‘Control’ category:
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
- 30 patrons maximum
- Call to book a visit at 905.984.8880
- Patrons have a maximum of 1.5 hours to visit the Museum and Lock 3 Viewing Platform
- Masks are required
- Museum and Canals Centre will be closed intermittently throughout the day for additional cleaning
- Lock 3 Viewing Platform is only accessible through the building in order to control the number of visitors to our site
- No consumption of food or drink in public/common areas
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Farmers Market
- Will continue to operate on Thursdays and Saturdays with enhanced safety measures
- One patron per vendor
- Increased facility monitors will be onsite to manage lines
- Masks are required
Arenas (Seymour-Sports and Entertainment Centre and Garden City Arena Complex)
- On-ice participation reduced to a maximum of 10 participants (coaches not included)
- Operating hours remain unchanged. 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily
- Rentals only for training purposes; no games or practices
- Change rooms will not be available; patrons must be “rink ready”
- No spectators; one parent per child 18 years and under allowed.
- Schedule will be modified to allow for additional public skating
- Contact tracing and screening of members of the public
- Masks are required in off-ice areas
- Rex Stimers will be closed
- Bill Burgoyne Arena remains closed
- Merritton Arena will be closed
- Reduced rates in effect
Community Centres (Russell Avenue and Port Weller)
- Community Centres closed
- Registered and drop-in programs cancelled until further notice
- Contact Citizens First for a refund for cancelled programs
Older Adult Centres
- Closed until further notice
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
- Maximum 50 people in aquatics area
- Maximum 10 people in Library
- Lane Swimming, Leisure Swimming, Soak and Stretch and Water Walking programs will continue
- Aquafit and Therapeutic Aquafit classes cancelled
- Swim lessons cancelled
- Guests must register for all swims in advance via the City’s ePlay portal. Please note it can take up to 48 hours to process registration for the portal
- Lane swimming can be booked by calling 905.688.5601 ext. 1800
- Programs will run for a maximum duration of 50 minutes
- To ensure equitable access visitors can register for only one 50-minute swim session per day
- Contact tracing and screening will be conducted
- No spectators; one parent per child 18 and under allowed
- No rentals of meeting and event spaces
- Masks required when not swimming
- Reduced rates in effect
- Contact aquatics@stcatharines.ca to request refunds
In addition to the Framework guidance, members of the public are reminded of the following:
- Restrict close contacts to your household members only and essential supports. Those who live alone may join with another household for support.
- All in-person activities should be limited outside of the home to essential activities only, this includes work, school, fitness and exercise, access to healthcare, and the purchase of food or drink, gasoline, and automobile maintenance.
- Wear a mask or face covering when around others from another household, out in public places, or outdoors when unable to stay physically distant.
- Wash your hands often.
- If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or are not feeling well, stay isolated at home and get tested for COVID-19.
Stay informed with a complete list of closures and program disruptions can be found at www.stcatharines.ca/COVID19.
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