Chatham-Kent Civic Centre, July 23, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Chatham-Kent Civic Centre, July 23, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Chatham

Open or not open? That is the question for the holiday weekend in Chatham-Kent

As Victoria Day approaches, residents may take comfort knowing LCBO's are open during their regular hours across the region but will be closed on Victoria Day. With that said, keep your empties, as garbage and recycling services will be delayed by one day of the week.

Blackburn News has compiled a list of what will, and will not, be accessible in the municipality over the long weekend including where residents can go for health services, and where you may be able to take the little ones if you're looking to have some fun with the family.

Harwich and Wallaceburg transfer stations are closed on Monday but all other transfer stations will be open regular hours.

For municipal services, a majority will be closed for Victoria Day, however, there are still services available for those who would like to spend some quality time indoors but away from the house. Don't count on having a quiet space to read your book, as all branches of the Chatham-Kent Public Library will be closed for the holiday.

If indoor sports and hockey are more how you envision the long weekend, the W.K. Erickson Arena will be the only one open for rentals. All other arenas will be closed.

The long weekend may be a time to do some swimming as the Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool and Wallaceburg-Sydenham Pool are open during their regular weekend hours. The rotary pool will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The pool hours in Wallaceburg are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

If holding your breath underwater or taking a slapshot isn't ideally how you envision the weekend playing out, residents might be disappointed to note the capital theatre, Chatham Cultural Centre, museum, Milner House, and Thames Art Gallery will all be closed, but the Ridge House Museum will be open for its normal hours – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – for the holiday.

Getting from Point A to Point B will need to be done between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. using the S1 transit system servicing Chatham, Erieau and Mitchell Bay with stops in Grande Point, Pain Court, Charing Cross and Blenheim, as other CK Transit services will not be running over the weekend.

It is business as usual on Saturday and Sunday, but some healthcare services offered at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance's Chatham and Wallaceburg sites will be altered on Monday in recognition of the holiday. X-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG), and ultrasounds will not be available on Monday and the respective health departments will be staffed to meet the needs of inpatients and emergencies.

In addition, Ambulatory Care Services, Out-Patient Rehabilitation Services, Pre-Surgical Screening Services, Diabetes Education Centre, the TIA and CAD Clinics, Pulmonary Function Lab, Outpatient Lab Services, Health Records and Patient Appointment Offices will also be closed on Monday. A majority of other health services including chemotherapy services will be shut down for the holiday, however, Hemodialysis Care and emergency rooms will remain open.

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance released in a statement, anyone with an immediate crisis should call the crisis line at 1-866-299-7447 or visit your nearest Emergency Room. All emergency services will be open 24-hours, the alliance is reminding residents to call 911 if they have an emergency.

Anyone wanting to see a mother or father in the nursing home may be relieved to find out Riverview Gardens services, activities and visiting hours will go-off unhinged. However, reception and administrative offices will be closed.

Anyone who thinks they have a court date on Monday needs to double-check.  The Provincial Offences Court will be closed on Victoria Day and will re-open on May 21 at 8:30 a.m. During that time outstanding fines and tickets can still be paid online at www.paytickets.ca

Some other notable services that will be closed:

  • EarlyON Child And Family Centres
  • Employment Resources Centre(s)
  • Public Health King Street - Essential public health services are available by calling 1-866-446-8207.
Lastly, in case of a power emergency, the number to call is 519-352-6300, as both the Public Utilities Commission and Entegrus will be closed on Monday.

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