Back to SearchThe Province announced today that the Niagara region will enter the Red ‘Control’ Zone of their COVID-19 framework on Monday, March 1. In response to this, the City of St. Catharines will be re-opening several facilities with restrictions in place.
“Niagara residents and businesses have stepped up to help stop transmission of the virus. Combined with the vaccination of long-term care facilities and higher-risk retirement homes and the ongoing expansion of vaccination efforts, Niagara is positioned to move into this next stage,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik. “We need to remain vigilant, however, and stay focused on containing the virus and following public health guidelines. A balanced approach to reopening and protecting residents is paramount.”
The City’s approach to the Red zone is based on limiting contact where possible, responding to the social, mental and physical needs of the community, maintaining enhanced safety protocols, and continuing to offer innovative ways to stay connected to the community via virtual experience, which can be found at www.stcatharines.ca/VirtualExperiences.
“It will be great to welcome residents back at some of our amenities, but we have to remain cautious,” said Director of Community, Recreation and Culture Services Phil Cristi. “Strict capacity limits and extra health and safety measures will be in place, and we urge everyone to continue to exercise caution, so we can move forward in the fight against COVID-19.”
Based on direction from the Province, the following will be instituted at City facilities starting the week of March 1.
City Hall
- Access to services at City Hall, such as Citizens First Customer Service, will be available by appointment only from March 1
- Where possible, services will be provided through remote means
- Visit www.stcatharines.ca/CitizensFirst to make an appointment
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
- Re-opening Wednesday, March 3
- 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 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 Saturdays only from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. with food and produce vendors
- Enhanced safety measures in place
- 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)
- Jack Gatecliff and Seymour-Hannah Rink #2 re-opening on March 2
- 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
- Reduced rates in effect
- Guests must register for all public skates in advance via the City’s ePlay portal
- Please note it can take up to 48 hours to process registration for the portal
- Public Skating information can be found at www.stcatharines.ca/publicskating
Community Centres (Russell Avenue and Port Weller)
- Re-opening March 2 with modified hours depending upon programming
- 10 patrons maximum
- Programs available. View schedule at www.stcatharines.ca/playin
- Reservations required. Contact the Community Centre where the program is being offered. Port Weller Community Centre 905-937-6232. Russell Avenue Community Centre 905-685-6071. Reservations open on Mondays for the following week.
Older Adult Centres
- Closed until further notice
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
- Re-opening March 2
- Maximum 18 people in aquatics area
- Lane Swimming, Leisure Swimming, Soak and Stretch and Water Walking programs will continue
- Aquatic Fitness and Therapeutic Aquafit classes cancelled
- Swim lessons cancelled
- Guests must make a reservation in advance via the City’s ePlay portal
- Please note it can take up to 48 hours to create an account for the portal
- 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 and two swim sessions per week
- Contact tracing and screening will be conducted
- No spectators: one parent per child 18 and under allowed and must be part of the reservation
- No rentals of meeting and event spaces
- Masks required when not swimming
St. Catharines Public Library
The Library will continue with online orders and curbside pickup for the next week. Branches will open Monday, March 8.
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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