Last week, Premier Doug Ford announced Stage 1 of the reopening of the economy – starting May 16 with the opening of privately-owned golf courses, parks, boat launches and campgrounds, just in time for the Victoria Day long weekend, and a further opening of all construction sites, retail stores with street entrances, and some municipal amenities and sports fields on May 19.
It has meant a change in direction for municipalities.
Just a few days before the provincial announcement on Thursday, a group of eight municipalities surrounding Lake Simcoe - including Orillia, Innisfil and Bradford West Gwillimbury – issued a joint press release and took out paid advertising, targeting the Greater Toronto Area.
They asked GTA residents to avoid day trips to the Lake Simcoe area over the May long weekend, warning that all park amenities – including beaches, playgrounds, splashpads, washrooms, sports fields, boat launches, etc. - were closed.
As Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin warned potential visitors, “You will be disappointed.”
Although the municipalities did have plans for a staged reopening of some amenities, that didn't happen immediately.
The Town of Innisfil reopened its boat launch at Innisfil Beach Park on May 16 for Innisfil residents only, although other amenities – including the beaches, washrooms and playgrounds – remained closed.
Mayor Dollin explained that the Lake Simcoe municipalities were planning to co-ordinate the opening of their facilities. Otherwise, she said, “It would be quite chaotic.”
So, on Tuesday there was no announcement – although town staff were spotted out on the tennis courts, putting up the nets.
Then came the official word: As of Friday, May 22 tennis courts will be open at the Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre, Lions Park and Henderson Memorial Community Park in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
Also opening: skate parks, baseball diamonds and sports fields, with the caveat that no team sports are to be played, physical distancing must be practiced, and there must be no gatherings of more than five people, unless all are from the same household.
Innisfil's announcement was delayed, but some amenities - including off-leash dog parks, some outdoor sports amenities, fields, picnic areas, benches and pavilions will be reopening on Saturday, May 23 - with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Innisfil’s boat launches on Shoreacres Drive and Isabella will also be open to Innisfil Residents on Friday, but basketball courts, splashpads, playgrounds and washrooms apparently remain closed at this time, and park users are warned that outdoor amenities are not being sanitized.
“The co-ordinated effort, working along other municipalities, has been a success,” said Innisfil Communications Lead Johnny Keogh, especially over the long weekend. “We observed that our friends in the GTA were respectful and receptive about the messaging to please stay home” - giving the municipalities time to plan for their staged reopening.
