The municipal offices in Ridgetown, Tilbury and Dresden are closing once again due to high levels of municipal staff under COVID-19 protocol.
The centres were closed on January 12, 2022 and just re-opened on Thursday but they will close again on Monday, January 31 for a minimum of two weeks.
Chatham-Kent General Manager of Human Resources Cathy Hoffman said the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant means staff availability can change rapidly.
"Our first responsibility is to maximize the safety of our employees and the community," she said. "We are reassessing our capabilities on a daily basis and we have to be ready to react to the realities of the situation."
The Service Ontario office in Dresden remains open by appointment only. Hoffman encourages residents to use municipal online services whenever they can.
On a brighter note, the Chatham-Kent Museum and Thames Art Gallery are set to reopen on February 2 and local indoor pools are set to reopen soon, too.
Chatham-Kent Recreation said the Gable Rees Rotary Pool and the Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool will reopen at 50 per cent capacity on February 7, 2022.
The recreational swimming schedule will be online starting on Monday and registration will continue to open one week before the respective swim time.
Pool users may notice a few changes at the pool in 2022, including the return of memberships and passes, normal swim times resulting in more time in the pool, the return of normal fees, and a requirement for a vaccine QR Code.
The Winter H20 swim lessons, which include semi-private and private lessons, will also be available starting the week of February 7, 2022. Lessons will be offered at both locations and will be viewable online and open for registration on Monday.
"We are happy to be able to open our doors once again to Chatham-Kent," said Chatham-Kent Director of Child Care, Early Years and Recreation Kelly Emery. "We know our indoor pools provide much-needed recreational options to our community, especially during the cold winter months. We are excited to see all of our members and families back in our facilities soon."
Chatham-Kent Recreation’s regularly scheduled spring session will be viewable online starting on Monday with registration opening on February 14, 2022.
Municipal officials said pool operations will continue to abide by all provincial and local COVID-19 regulations including reduced capacity, social distancing and face-covering requirements. Swimmers are encouraged to review a full list of Frequently Asked Questions before visiting the pool.
Registration can be completed online at chatham-kent.ca/recreationswimming or by calling 519-360-1998.
Further updates can also be found on Facebook (@CKRecreation) and Instagram (@ck_recreation).
Indoor municipal recreation and sports facilities, including arenas, will also reopen on Monday as the Ontario government eases COVID-19 restrictions.
Anyone aged 12 and over attending the facility must provide proof of identification and full vaccination against COVID-19. The use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and Verify Ontario app is required at these facilities.
Capacity limits of 50 per cent apply to non-spectator areas, while spectator areas are limited to capacities of 50 per cent or 500 people, whichever is less.
For additional information, please email CKrecfacilities@chatham-kent.ca or call 519-360-1998.
Planning is also underway for the return of school sports locally, but the school boards and the health unit in Chatham-Kent are still waiting for the go-ahead from the province.
The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) said the hold on high-contact and high-intensity extra-curricular sports and activities remains in place until further notice.
"The Lambton Kent District School Board recognizes that extracurricular activities and sports support students’ physical and mental health and well-being. At the local level, the Lambton Kent Secondary School Athletic Association (LKSSAA) continues its discussions about a possible return to play to complete non-high-contact indoor athletic seasons which began prior to the holiday break. With OFSAA’s announcement, any return to extra-curricular sports would be for local athletics only," said LKDSB Public Relations Officer Heather Hughes. "As has been the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to share plans with the local Medical Officers of Health and will follow directions of the local and provincial Medical Officers of Health and the Ministry of Education."
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) is working with LKSSAA to discuss a possible soft return to sports on February 7, 2022. Volleyball at all schools would be the only sport allowed given other high contact sports are not yet permitted by the province, said officials for both school boards.
"We are hoping for a return to Season 3 sports in March," said SCCDSB Supervisor of Communications and Community Relations Todd Lozon.
The South Western Ontario Secondary School Athletics (SWOSSA) and the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) have announced the 2022 winter championships in February and March have been cancelled.
