The City of Windsor is slowly, but surely, bringing back its facilities after the lengthy COVID-19 shutdown.
On Tuesday morning, Mayor Drew Dilkens and city officials announced the city's plans to reopen selected facilities. Windsor-Essex became the last Ontario health region to be granted Stage 3 reopening status, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
While he understands the eagerness of residents to return to a "new normal," the mayor said it is vital that the reopening is done right.
"As a municipality, we are taking a cautious approach to this Stage 3 restart," said Dilkens. "Starting next week, you're going to see our services begin to resume. As we've done throughout the pandemic, we are going to keep a close eye on the conditions, and we are going to adapt appropriately."
Some of the services are at City Hall, as several departments will reopen by appointment. Counter service for permit applications and taxation issues will resume. Those with questions about licencing and gaming will be able to have their questions answered in-person as well. Those who are getting married can now make an in-person appointment to get a marriage licence, and City Hall weddings can now accommodate 20 people, including the bridal couple.
Dilkens also said with departments reopening, employees who have been furloughed will be called back to work as needed.
Selected recreation and park facilities will begin to reopen as well. Outdoor playground and exercise equipment will be reopened starting Wednesday, with all equipment inspected and opened by Friday. Splash pads, which were opened in Stage 2, will have all fencing and staff removed by Sunday, with signage in place to encourage physical distancing. Outdoor sports fields will reopen with maximum gatherings of 100 people.
Jan Wilson, parks and recreation director, also said ice surfaces would gradually reopen.
"We will be opening the WFCU Centre on September 8 with two pads," said Wilson. "We will also anticipate opening additional pads later on."
Most other indoor recreational facilities will remain closed for now. Bookings for events at venues like Willistead Manor have been cancelled through the rest of the calendar year. Adventure Bay Family Water Park will stay closed, though the Windsor International Aquatics and Training Centre will reopen by August 31.
Parents looking for fun summer things for their kids to do can turn to the city's summer day camps at the WFCU Centre and Capri Pizzeria Recreational Complex. The camps run through September 4 for ages four to 14, and space is available while it lasts. Registration is open at the Active Windsor website.
Complete information on what will be open and when can be found at the City of Windsor's official website.
-With files from Adelle Loiselle