The City of Peterborough has provided an update on the status of municipal services given the Ontario government’s announcement of stage two reopenings effective Friday (June 12).
Beaches are now open and water quality will be tested, but wading and splash pads remain closed for now.
Also remaining closed for now is the swimming pool at Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, the Art Gallery of Peterborough, the Peterborough Public Library (except for pick-up services), the city’s two child care centres, and the Riverview Park and Zoo (operated by Peterborough Utilities).
A plan is underway to reopen Peterborough Museum and Archives for early July.
Details on the status of municipal services in Peterborough, as well as the zoo, are provided below.
Beaches, wading pools, and splash pads
City of Peterborough beaches are now open to the public. However, lifeguards are not expected to start at the beaches at Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove until Saturday, June 27th. Peterborough Public Health will begin monitoring water quality at the two beaches, posting signage to show when it’s not safe to go in the water (kawarthaNOW will be posting water quality results every week).
The city is making arrangements for the opening of wading pools, and will announce a date for the opening of wading pools when it is available.
While the province’s stage two reopening allows splash pads to open, the city is delaying their opening because the water isn’t chlorinated to the extent that it is at pools and wading pools. This affects the cleanliness of the high-touch surfaces on the play structures in the splash pads. The city considers its splash pads to be similar to the situation with playground structures, and will open its splash pads after the province eases or lifts its emergency orders to allow playgrounds to open.
Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre
While the province’s stage two reopening allows public pools to open, the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre pool will remain closed at this time.
Since the centre’s fitness centre must remain closed under the province’s emergency orders, the city plan to reopen the pool only when the entire facility is able to open.
Staff are working with Peterborough Public Health to create a plan to safely reopen the centre. When the opening date is set, it will be announced and posted on the city’s website and through social media.
Peterborough Museum and Archives
Museums are allowed to open under the province’s stage two reopening plan. The city is putting necessary protocols in place for the safety of visitors and staff.
One option being explored is an online booking system for time slots to visit the museum in order to limit the number of visitors in the museum. The museum is also reviewing its exhibits and layout to support physical distancing.
The current estimate is that the museum could reopen to the public in early July. When the opening date is set, it will be announced and posted on the city’s website and through social media.
Peterborough Public Library
The Peterborough Public Library continues to provide pickup and drop-off services, but the facility remains closed to the public at this time.
While the province’s stage two reopening allows libraries to open, the province’s guidelines include significant restrictions, such as no touching of books or DVDs. Due to the layout of the library, it is not possible to reopen under the current provincial restrictions.
The Peterborough Public Library is continuing to review the provincial restrictions and its operations to plan for reopening. When services can be adjusted, they will be announced and posted on the Peterborough Public Library website and through social media.
Art Gallery of Peterborough
While the province’s stage two reopening allows art galleries to open, the Art Gallery of Peterborough remains closed at this time.
The provincial guidelines are being reviewed to put in place protocols for the safety of visitors and staff. In addition, renovations are currently underway at the gallery, which would affect the opening of the gallery.
When a date is set for the re-opening of the gallery, it will be announced and posted on the Art Gallery of Peterborough website and through social media.
Sport fields
Sport fields are open for casual use, following public health guidelines on physical distancing and restrictions under the province’s emergency orders, such as the prohibition on social gatherings larger than 10 people.
The city is not issuing permits for the reservation of sport fields at this time.
Arenas
Arenas remain closed, as the province’s emergency orders do not allow them to open at this time.
Child care services
The city’s municipally operated child care programs at Pearson Child Care Centre and Peterborough Day Care Centre are currently delivering emergency child care for essential workers, which the province announced would continue until June 26th. Given this situation, the two centres will not be resuming regular child care services at this time.
The city is reviewing recently announced health and safety protocols for child care and, when arrangements for the reopening of centres are ready, they will announced and posted on the city’s website and social media.
Parents with children in the programs will be contacted directly when more information is available.
City municipal administration buildings
City Hall and most other city administration buildings remain closed to the public at this time.
The city is planning for the reopening of the facilities for in-person services, after putting in place protocols for the safety of residents and employees and providing direction and training to staff as needed.
The city’s social services office provides limited access for clients. However, clients are encouraged to contact their case managers through email or phone when possible.
City staff remain available working either on site or remotely. Residents can contact the city by phone at 705-742-7777, by email at cityptbo@peterborough.ca, or by contacting the division or department directly.
Riverview Park and Zoo
The Riverview Park and Zoo, which is operated by Peterborough Utilities, remains closed — including all facilities, amenities, and washrooms.
With the support of the Peterborough Disc Golf Club, the disc golf course is open for limited recreational use of the course, for local players who follow all safety precautions and strict guidelines.
Open park trails can be used for walk-through traffic only, in the allowed group size of no more than 10 persons and maintaining a physical distance of two meters from people outside of your household.
