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Exploring community interest in the development and use of downtown Guelph’s historic Drill Hall

Repurposing a historic gem

Guelph, Ont., June 17, 2021— If you’re part of a community group, non-profit or public organization looking for space in downtown Guelph, or a developer or business interested in revitalizing downtown Guelph’s Drill Hall, we want to hear from you.

The City is working with RSM Canada to identify and assess interest from community organizations, developers, investors and businesses for the use and redevelopment of the City-owned Drill Hall at 72 Farquhar Street.

Share your organization’s interest through our online survey until July 2

Community groups, non-profits and public organizations are invited to complete our online survey to share their interest in the Drill Hall and their ideas for future use of the building. After the survey closes on July 2, we’ll select up to six organizations, based on the financial viability, community impact and overall feasibly of their concept for the space, to discuss their ideas for the Drill Hall in more detail.

Redevelopment opportunity and market sounding

RSM Canada is also completing a market sounding study with private developers, businesses, investors and builders to gauge their interest in the potential redevelopment of the Drill Hall throughout June and July.

Next steps

Following discussions with community organizations and the development community, City staff make a recommendation about the redevelopment and future use of the Drill Hall, balancing respect for the cultural heritage of the building with community benefit and financial impacts. A staff report with these recommendations will go to Council in October.

About the Drill Hall

The Drill Hall, located at 72 Farquhar Street (corner of Farquhar and Wyndham Street South) is a two-and-one-half storey, heavy timber frame building built in 1866. The Drill Hall has been used as a community hall and a venue for military drills and agricultural shows. To preserve this piece of Guelph’s history, the City designated the Drill Hall as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Vacant since 2006, work is currently underway to stabilize the building and explore plans for renovation and use.

Take a virtual tour of the Drill Hall and check out the photo gallery.

Media contact

Ian Scott, Manager Facility Design and Construction

Facilities and Energy Management

City of Guelph

519-822-1260 extension 3496

[email protected]

City releases its first digital Guelph. Future Ready progress report

Read the Council staff report

Guelph, Ont., June 18, 2021 – The City of Guelph is sharing its first Guelph. Future Ready progress report with Council and community on June 28.

The digital progress report presents a balanced and transparent view of how the City is making progress towards achieving its Guelph. Future Ready. Strategic Plan initiatives, and highlights key data and stories from 2020 including key performance indicators and advancement on strategic initiatives.

“The progress report and dashboard allows us to showcase our successes, demonstrate accountability, and ensure transparency in our work not only to Council, but to our partners and the community we serve. It’s also an important first step in moving towards being a more performance-oriented and data-driven organization,” explains Scott Stewart, the City’s chief administrative officer.

He adds, “As we grow and modernize our organization, it’s important for us to have a clear view of what’s going well, and which areas need more support, innovative thinking, or updated operational plans to facilitate the growth and progress we want to make.”

During the Council presentation, City staff will show how the progress report works and how to best view the information at guelph.ca/progressreport. The report is organized by the City’s five strategic priority areas: Powering our future; Sustaining our future; Navigating our future; Working together for our future; and Building our future.

Stewart also points out that since the strategic plan was approved in 2019, Guelph has experienced unprecedented challenges and change.

“The City, despite the challenges over the past year, has made significant advancement in many key areas of the strategic plan while taking on new and important work to help the community respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also deeply reflecting and taking action required to address systemic racism and inequity in our organization and community,” he says.

The Guelph. Future Ready progress report 2020 is the third component of the Performance and Accountability cycle—plan, budget, report back, and repeat—and part of the 2021 CAO objectives as presented to Council earlier this year.

“Through this repetitive cycle we’ll learn, adjust and measure our progress as we work together to run an effective, trusted, modern government,” Stewart adds.

The Council meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. on June 28 and can be viewed at guelph.ca/live.

Resources

Future Ready progress report 2020

City of Guelph Future-ready video

Guelph. Future Ready. Strategic Plan (2019–2023)

Community Plan

Media contact

Jodie Sales
General Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 3617
[email protected]

UPDATED: COVID-safe summer fun at Guelph camps, parks and patios

Ontario moving to Step One in Roadmap to Reopen on June 11

Updated: June 7, 2021

The Ontario government has announced plans to reduce COVID-19 restrictions and allow larger outdoor gatherings, outdoor dining, outdoor pools and overnight camping as of Friday, June 11. Provincial guidelines are outlined in its Roadmap to Reopen.

“This is a great step forward in our COVID journey as we get back to some of the activities we have missed. I encourage everyone to support local patios and shops, and to get outside to enjoy parks and recreational amenities,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “Please keep following all guidelines and, if you haven’t already, register to get vaccinated!”

Gatherings and religious ceremonies as of June 11

Up to 10 people can gather outdoors. If you live alone, you may have close contact with one other household.

Outdoor religious services, rites and ceremonies including weddings and funerals are permitted with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of two metres. Indoor religious services, rites and ceremonies including weddings and funerals are permitted at 15% capacity of the room.

Outdoor sports and fitness as of June 11

  • Outdoor fitness classes, personal training is permitted with up to 10 people, 3 metres apart.
  • Skate parks, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, cricket pitches, disc golf courses, soccer fields and tennis and pickleball courts are open. Outdoor sports training is permitted (no games or practices) with up to 10 people, 3 metres apart.

Outdoor dining permitted June 11

Outdoor dining will be permitted with up to four people sharing a table. There must be at least two metres between tables, and all patrons must provide their contact information.

About 20 patios all over Guelph are prepared to open on June 11.

In response to today’s provincial  announcement, the City is working to close parts of Wyndham and Macdonell Street to support the downtown dining district June 11 to 13.

The City is working to notify Guelph Transit riders about changes to downtown bus stops and routes this weekend, and apologizes for any inconvenience.

In-store shopping as of June 11

The City encourages everyone to shop where they live; order online, use curbside pickup or delivery services. For a directory of local shops visit guelph.ca/guelphshops.

In-store shopping is limited to 25% capacity at essential retail stores:

  • Pharmacies, supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores and markets primarily selling food;
  • Garden centres;
  • Big box stores can sell all goods;
  • Stores selling beer, wine and spirits.

Retail stores in malls are closed unless they have a street-facing entrance.

Personal services must remain closed.

All other retail stores may offer in-store shopping at 15% capacity, curbside pickup, takeout or delivery.

View a full list of businesses and restrictions

June is recreation and parks month

Guelph wants people to get outside for some COVID-safe summer fun in City parks, recreation facilities and day camps.

“Every June we celebrate recreation and parks month and encourage people to get outside, get active, try a new sport or activity. COVID-19 restrictions are changing how and where we play, so we’ve re-imagined Guelph’s recreation programs for all kinds of COVID-safe summer fun,” says Colleen Clack-Bush, deputy chief administrative officer of Guelph’s Public Services.

Follow the City of Guelph on Facebook or Twitter for activities you can try at home or in a park with your family or a couple of friends. Please stay at least two metres from people you don’t live with.

Proposed dates and schedules are subject to change based Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. Follow #COVID19Guelph or visit guelph.ca/covid19 for the latest updates, guidelines and restrictions.

Register for summer day camp June 9

Registration opens on June 9 at 7:30 a.m. on recenroll.ca or call 519-837-5699. If you are paying cash, in-person is available at West End Community Centre on June 9 only from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Camps and outdoor recreation programs will start the week of July 5. At this time, we’re not offering indoor recreation programs or swimming lessons. When we do, we’ll share registration information on recenroll.ca.

Splash pads open June 12

Starting Saturday, June 12, Norm Jary, Northview, South End, Jubilee and Waverley Park splash pads are open daily from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Hanlon Creek splash pad is closed for the season. Splash pads are unsupervised. Use at your own risk.

Market Square opens June 19

The Market Square wading pool will be open for the weekend of June 19 and 20. It will be open daily as of June 26.

  • Hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
  • Each 45-minute session starts at the top each hour.
  • Up to 50 people can use the wading pool.

Visit guelph.ca/marketsquare to see how busy it is before you come.

Wading pools opens June 19

Exhibition Park and Sunny Acres Park wading pools will be open for the weekend of June 19 and 20. They will be open daily as of June 26.

  • Hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (closed 1–3 p.m. for cleaning).
  • Each 45-minute session starts at the top each hour.
  • Up to 10 people can use the wading pool.

Lyon Pool opens June 19

Free 45-minute swims start at the top of each hour

Guelph’s outdoor Lyon Pool will be open for the weekend of June 19 and 20, and daily as of June 26. Free 45-minute public swims will start on the hour between 10 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. No reservation required. You must leave the pool area at the end of your session.

  • 10–10:45 a.m. Senior/accessibility swim
  • 11 a.m.–6:45 p.m. Public swim on the hour

Life jackets are available (disinfected between uses). Lockers/change rooms are closed.

Rules during COVID-19:

  • Stay home if you’re sick.
  • Stay two metres (6.5 feet) from people you don’t live with.
  • No toys or floats allowed.
  • Washrooms are open at Lyon Pool and Market Square.

For more information

Check guelph.ca/swim for guidelines, hours, and closures due to inclement weather or maintenance.

To report a concern about a gathering or business

Resources

Have your say on Guelph Transit’s proposed route changes

Online survey closes June 20; town hall sessions set for June 8 and 16

Guelph, Ont., May 26, 2021 – Guelph Transit has released its proposed transit system, including an implementation plan, and we invite you to provide input at haveyoursay.guelph.ca until June 20.

Robin Gerus, Guelph Transit’s general manager, explains, “What we’re proposing for transit over the next decade allows us to deliver a more competitive, convenient, and reliable transit system that meets the community’s needs today and beyond. It also moves us closer to meeting goals set out in the City’s Strategic Plan by improving connectivity of the whole transportation system—making it easy for people to travel within city limits.”

The proposed transit system is multi-phased, starting in 2022, and is estimated to take 10 years to implement, pending Council approval.

Guelph Transit started a full operational route review of its transit network in 2019 to look at individual routes and frequency to meet current and future customer needs, and to identify potential opportunities to move from its current system that requires customers to transfer buses at a central hub to a more grid-like system with direct routes.

The proposed system is a blended model that includes transit hubs, express routes, and routes that follow the city’s spine in a grid pattern as well as outer perimeter. It’s designed to get people to where they want to go with more route types (e.g. core, base, university express, on-demand, and industrial express), faster travel times, frequent service, and service reliability.

How to have your say on the proposed transit system

“Tell us what we got right, what you like, if there’s something we overlooked, if something doesn’t quite work, or if something in our proposed transit system or implementation plan is going to cause you a lot of headache,” says Andrea Mikkila, Guelph Transit’s Planning and Scheduling acting supervisor.

Take the survey online

View the interactive map, explore route-by-route, year-by-year, watch the video presentation, ask questions, and take the survey at haveyoursay.guelph.ca. Emailing [email protected] or calling 519-822-1811 are also options for providing input.

Attend a virtual town hall

Guelph Transit will host two virtual town halls to share and discuss the proposed transit system and implementation plan.

Tuesday, June 8, 7–8:30 p.m.

Watch online using WebEx (password is transit), the City website or our Facebook page.  
Dial in at 1-416-216-5643 (access code: 173 453 0154)

Wednesday, June 16, 7–8:30 p.m.

Watch online using WebEx (password is transit), the City website or our Facebook page.
Dial in at 1-416-216-5643 (access code: 173 538 0842)

Next steps

The route review outcomes were informed by data collection (e.g. ridership and stop activity data, and route-by-route on-time performance), industry best practices, and employee and public input.

This latest round of employee and community input will be used to refine the proposed transit system and implementation plan, before it is presented to Council for consideration on November 3, 2021. Details on funding the initiative over 10 years will also be shared with Council as part of the City budget process.

The route review was approved by City Council as part of the Guelph Transit Business Service Review recommendations in 2019.

For more information

Andrea Mikkila
Acting Supervisor, Planning and Scheduling

Guelph Transit

519-822-1260 extension 3662
[email protected]

DROP IN CENTRE FINALIZES PURCHASE OF FORMER PARKVIEW MOTEL

Guelph, ON – Guelph’s Drop In Centre, an organization dedicated to finding solutions to homelessness, has secured the purchase of the Parkview Motel, located at 721 Woolwich Street in Guelph and will change the name of the property to “Grace Gardens”, in honour of Grace Frank, whose financial donation helped obtain the property.

The organization leveraged its assets and received $1.2 million in funding from the County of Wellington and Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund to purchase the Parkview Motel. Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund program helps service managers and Indigenous program administrators protect homeless shelter staff and residents, and help prevent more people from becoming homeless.

“Our government’s Social Services Relief Fund was designed to provide both immediate and longer-term housing and homelessness relief in communities across Ontario,” said Randy Pettapiece, Member of Provincial Parliament for Perth—Wellington. “I’m happy we are working with Wellington County and the Guelph community to help meet the need for safe and affordable housing, and protect vulnerable people from COVID-19.”

“Wellington County Council is pleased to help fund this purchase and provide operating support to Grace Gardens” said Kelly Linton, Wellington County Warden. “We are committed to working collaboratively with partners in our community to end homelessness in Guelph-Wellington”.

The motel has served as an emergency overflow shelter space since 1986 and is the proposed site of a permanent supportive housing (PSH) project, pending a request for rezoning. 

“We’re hopeful that we can proceed with our proposal to create an intentionally-planned and beautified space to provide housing stability and supports for 32 individuals – that is our first choice,” says Gail Hoekstra, Executive Director of the Drop In Centre. “If the zoning is approved, we are in a much better position to be eligible for government funding to help with the renovations to create the best version of Grace Gardens for our community.”

If the zoning change is not approved, Grace Gardens will continue to be a shelter, providing temporary accommodations to individuals who are homeless, with staff members on site.

“We have been working towards a purchase of this nature for nine years,” says Hoekstra. “Grace Gardens will have an impact, one way or another, in helping us restore hope, safety and grace for individuals who need it most.”

Grace Gardens will be ready for guests in May 2021. Staff will spend the coming weeks cleaning and organizing the space. If zoning is approved, the Drop In will proceed with renovations and pursue its PSH model. 

“Grace Gardens is a perfect example of our community’s dedication to ending homelessness in Guelph and Wellington County,” said David Anderson, Chair of the Wellington County’s Social Services Committee. 

The Drop In also provides emergency shelter at 23 Gordon Street on a first come, first served basis, operates the Loyola House Supportive Temporary Accommodation Project (LHSTAP), and will be providing housing with supports through its other locations the Stepping Stone and Dwelling Place. 

-30-

Media Contacts:

Gail Hoekstra, Executive Director

The Drop In Centre 

T 519.994.1423

Mark Poste, Director of Housing

County of Wellington

E [email protected]

T 519.824.7822 x 4040

Choose between final four ward boundary and Council composition options

Online engagement runs until April 20

Guelph, Ont., April 6, 2021 – The City has released four final ward boundary options for the community’s consideration online at haveyoursay.guelph.ca until April 20, in addition to a report from the independent consultant explaining each option.

The ward boundary options include the following configurations:

  • Two six-ward options with slightly different boundaries, 12 part-time councillors, two per ward.
  • A five-ward option, 10 part-time councillors, two per ward.
  • An eight-ward option, eight full or part-time councillors, one per ward.

“Each of the four options reflects what the community told us during the previous rounds of engagement, but each offers different strengths in the four priorities considered when reviewing ward boundaries, including equal population for better voter parity, projected growth, communities of interest and natural boundaries and geographic features,” says Dylan McMahon, acting City clerk and general manager of the City Clerk’s Office.

The final set of feedback will be used to refine the final options presented to Council in a report that will be available online on June 10. Council will meet to discuss the report and its findings, and hear delegations, on June 21, with a final decision made on June 23.

How to have your say on the final ward boundary and Council composition options

Take the survey online

View the maps, read the report and take the survey online at haveyoursay.guelph.ca.

Attend a virtual town hall

The City will host two virtual town halls to discuss the ward boundary options.

Wednesday, April 7, 7-8:30 p.m.
Watch online using WebEx (password is CityCouncil2021), the City website or our Facebook page.
Dial in at 1-416-216-5643 (access code: 129 505 9847)

Tuesday, April 13 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Watch online using WebEx (password is CityCouncil2021), the City website or our Facebook page.
Dial in at 1-416-216-5643 (access code: 129 386 4848)

Call us during open office hours

  • Wednesday, April 7 – 1-2 p.m. (Dylan McMahon, 519-822-1260 extension 2811)
  • Thursday, April 8 – 6-7 p.m. (Lindsay Cline, 519-822-1260 extension 2440)
  • Monday, April 12 – 10-11 a.m. (Lindsay Cline, 519-822-1260 extension 2440)
  • Thursday, April 15 – 6-7 p.m. (Dylan McMahon, 519-822-1260 extension 2811)
  • Monday, April 19 – 2-3 p.m. (Lindsay Cline, 519-822-1260 extension 2440)

Media contact

Dylan McMahon, Acting City Clerk and General Manager
City Clerk’s Office
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2811
[email protected]

Guelph parks remain open, recreation centres to close

Provincewide shut down starts April 3 to control the spread of COVID-19

Guelph Ont., Thursday April 1, 2021 – Earlier today, the Provincial government announced a provincewide shut down in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern. New restrictions will be in effect starting April 3, 2021 until at least May 1, 2021.

While older adults are being vaccinated, COVID-19 variants of concern are spreading among younger people, essential workers and their families; variants are spreading faster and making people sicker. 

“COVID-19 has been so hard on people, families and businesses already. This is such a disappointing setback, but I understand it’s necessary to get control of this virus and variants of concern,” says Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie. “I know people are tired of hearing it – I’m tired of saying it. Guelph knows how to slow the spread, and we have to keep up the fight until we’re vaccinated this fall.”

Parks, playgrounds, trails, skatepark open

Outdoor recreation facilities remain open. Please stay two metres away from people you don’t live with and wear a mask. Visit guelph.ca/parks for maps and more.

City recreation centres close April 3

All recreation programs and rentals are paused until May 3. The City will issue refunds by April 30. Indoor programs will resume based on provincial regulations and public health guidelines.

Visit guelph.ca/recreation for more information.

City Hall and Provincial Offences Court open

Service counters remain open to the public. Visit guelph.ca for online services.

Guelph Farmers’ Market open

The Guelph Farmers’ Market is open on Saturday mornings. Up to 50 people can shop indoors. Visit guelph.ca/farmersmarket for a list of vendors and shopping guidelines.

Guelph libraries open for curbside pickup

All library locations will offer curbside pickup services only. Visit guelphpl.ca for details.

Guelph Museums closed

Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae are closed to the public. Visit guelphmuseums.ca for virtual exhibits and events.

River Run Centre and Sleeman Centre

The River Run Centre and Sleeman Centre remain closed to the public. Visit riverrun.ca for online performances.

Gathering limits

Limit close contact to the people you live with. Stay at least two metres away from everyone else. If you live alone, you can have close contact with one other household.

Indoor social gatherings are prohibited, outdoor gatherings are limited to five people.

Restaurants and bars

Takeout and curbside pickup only. No indoor or outdoor dining permitted.

Stores

In-person indoor shopping is permitted where there is room for people to stay at least two metres apart. All businesses must post a sign stating maximum permitted indoor capacity.

  • Up to 50% of capacity at pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores and other stores that primarily sell groceries
  • Up to 25% for all other retail, including discount and big box retailers, liquor stores, cannabis stores, hardware stores and garden centres

Support local. Shop safe. #guelphshops

For a directory of local shops and services visit guelph.ca/guelphshops. Share photos and stories about your favourites using #guelphshops

To report a concern about a gathering or business

The City is educating people and businesses and responding to concerns.

Resources

News release: Ontario Implements Provincewide Emergency Brake

Public health measures during shutdown; Ontario’s COVID-19 framework

Ontario Regulation 82/20 under the Reopening Ontario Act

COVID-19 requirements for retailers by region – Retail Council of Canada

COVID-19 cases in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

Report a COVID-19 concern

Media contact

Stacey Hare (she/her)
Corporate Communications and Customer Service
City of Guelph

519-822-1260 extension 2611
519-831-9926 mobile
[email protected]

guelph.ca
facebook.com/cityofguelph
twitter.com/cityofguelph

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

The following information is provided by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. Please share with your family, friends and neighbours – especially those who live with or care for senior citizens.

The City of Guelph is working to help you, your family, your neighbours and our community recover from COVID-19.

When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

You can pre-register NOW if you or someone you care for lives in Wellington County, Dufferin County or the City of Guelph, and is:

  • At least 80 years old;
  • A member of the Indigenous community;
  • An employee or essential caregiver in a long-term care or retirement home;
  • An adult receiving chronic home care (Waterloo Wellington or Central West LHIN);
  • An emergency responder;
  • Working or volunteering in a healthcare organization; or
  • Providing healthcare services or direct patient care outside of a healthcare organization.

You must provide a cell phone number, email and mailing address to register online at wdgpublichealth.ca/register.

If you or someone you care for needs help using the website, contact your local library.

What happens after you register?

When vaccine supplies are available, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will contact registered patients to schedule an appointment.

Please be patient. It can take up to a week to receive an email or text message with instructions for booking your vaccination appointment. Check your junk/spam folder too.

  • Follow the link in the message and use the code provided to login
  • Please enter the same personal information you used to pre-register
  • After you login you get another code to schedule your appointment
  • Enter THAT code to find available dates
  • Choose a location
  • Choose your first or second dose
  • Choose a date

If you need help, please contact your local library.

When is the next age group allowed to register?

Soon, and it depends on vaccine supplies. Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health will make an announcement when the next age group is able to pre-register.

Get more information about vaccine plans from Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health.

wdgpublichealth.ca/vaccine  
519-822-2715

City of Guelph programs and services

To help our community recover from COVID-19 we all need to do our part and roll up our sleeves (get it?)

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and cooperation.

For updates about City of Guelph programs and services during COVID-19, visit guelph.ca/covid19. 

City launches engagement for potential disc golf course at Eastview Community Park

Residents to have their say online by March 14

Guelph, Ont., February 18, 2021 – Engagement is underway to understand the level of support and any concerns about locating a new nine or 18-hole disc golf course at Eastview Community Park.

Click here to answer the survey!

The proposed course would be built within wooded and marshy areas of the park where its boundaries meet Speedvale Avenue East and Watson Parkway. The space is an ideal location for a disc golf course that offers lots of natural obstacles and varying terrain to challenge local disc golf enthusiasts.

The City is reaching out to the community to understand if there is interest in a disc golf course at this location, or if there are any concerns with the course design and its proximity to other existing or proposed amenities.

The course design has factored in nearby trails, sports fields, playgrounds, natural areas and trees and will not interfere with other uses of the park. Approximately 10 trees, that are already slated for removal under the ash and hazard tree removal program, need to be removed to construct the course.  Design would further include the planting of a diverse variety of native trees and shrubs, providing wildlife habitat, food sources and pollinators to the park.

“We will use this community feedback as part of our decision-making process to see if Eastview Community Park is appropriate for a disc golf course, and if there are alterations we can make to ensure the park remains a multi-functional community space for everyone,” says Ian Ferguson, program manager of Sports and Leisure Grounds with the City. “Community engagement will be used alongside professional expertise of staff and lessons learned from constructing the Riverside Park disc golf course.”

About disc golf

Disc golf is a rapidly-growing sport that combines ultimate frisbee and golf. Players move from hole-to-hole, trying to get their disc into the disc golf basket at each hole. The goal is to complete the course in as few throws as possible. The east side of Riverside Park along Riverview Drive is home to the City’s first ever nine-hole disc golf course. The only other local disc golf course is located at the University of Guelph Arboretum. The disc golf community has grown from 176 to 386 members from January 2020 to January 2021 according to the Guelph Disc Golf Club.

Resources

How to play disc golf

Media contact

Ian Ferguson, Program Manager
Sports and Leisure Grounds, Parks
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2802
[email protected]

Drop-In Recreation Programs Open Feb 18

The City will be opening drop-in recreation programs (e.g. swim, skate) at our recreation facilities, starting February 18. Schedules can be found online.

If you are participating in a drop-in program, you must register at recenroll.ca, and may do so up to 72 hours in advance. This tells us you are coming and also guarantees your spot as capacity is limited as per public health guidelines and the province’s COVID-19 response framework: keeping Ontario safe and open.

Spring program registration

Registrations starts Wednesday, March 3 at 7:30 a.m. Programs are scheduled to begin April 6 and can be previewed at recenroll.ca. We’ll issue refunds if programs are cancelled due to low enrollment or COVID-19. Note: Summer camp registration and summer swim lessons/programs will begin later this spring. Stay tuned for details.

Here’s some important information for your visit

We’ve updated our COVID-19 screening process for anyone entering our recreation facilities.

All visitors to our recreation facilities must complete an electronic COVID-19 Visitor Screening form on the day you are entering the facility. Parents/guardians will complete this for their children as well as themselves before coming into the facility.

Masks are required unless you are under the age of 5 years old or if you have a medical reason.

We also continue our enhanced cleaning of all high-touch surfaces. Please wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer, stay two metres (6.5 feet) away from people you don’t live with, and follow the arrows to help you make your way around the building.

Swims

  • Access to the pool is through the main entrance doors at West End Community Centre and the ground level entrance at Victoria Road Recreation Centre.
  • Access to the facility is permitted 10 minutes prior to swim time.
  • The viewing gallery is closed to the public.
  • Lockers are not available for use. Swimmers must physically distance their backpacks on the gallery bench/wall.
  • Showers are allowed for pool entrance only. Swimmers will enter through the Family Change Room and exit through either the Men’s or Women’s Change Room.
  • Fitness room and sauna are not available at West End Community Centre.

 Skates

  • Access to the arena is through the back arena entrance doors at West End Community Centre and the second level arena entrance at Victoria Road Recreation Centre.
  • Access to the facility is permitted 10 minutes prior to skate time.
  • Shinny is not offered at this time.
  • Showers and washrooms in the change room are closed. Please use the washrooms in the arena lobby.

Feeling sick?

Stay home. Please don’t come to our facilities. Take the self-assessment if you’re worried you were exposed to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) or have symptoms.

 Questions?

These measures are designed to keep you, your family, our employees and our community healthy and safe. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or 519-837-5699.

City of Guelph Recreation Services
T 519-837-5699
E [email protected]

guelph.ca/recreation
Facebook.com/cityofguelph
@cityofguelph