The boat launch at Sarnia Bay is closed indefinitely as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 as part of the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Mike Bradley said signage will be posted at the Centennial Park facility advising the community of the change.
"This has been of considerable debate by the primary control group over the last two weeks heading into the boating season," said Bradley. "We understand the ramifications of doing this, but the greater good of the community was put forward. Everywhere else where they've shut them down, whether it be Owen Sound or Windsor or Port Colborne, it was because the boaters have not respected the social distancing and we simply didn't want to walk into that swamp."
Mayor Bradley said if we do all the other things right as a community and as a country, the boat launch will be reopened this summer.
"At this point in time, it's one more amenity in the parks system, just the marina's closed, the pavilions are closed, the ball diamonds are closed, it's been added to the list."
A week ago, the city announced the boat launch would remain open but the mayor warned that would change if pandemic protocols were not followed at the facility.
Mayor Bradley said Michigan has taken the restrictions one step further.
"The governor last week reversed course and said all boating is banned. This simply denies people the right to access the boat ramp at the marina if they can make other arrangements elsewhere, they can do that, we can't stop that."
Bradley said he wouldn't be surprised if the province of Ontario followed suit and also ended recreational boating until the pandemic is over.
-With files from Dave Dentinger