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

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