Londoners will once again be able to go for a skate or a swim at city run facilities.
The City of London has announced it is beginning the gradual process of reopening recreational facilities and resuming some programs. The green light for skating rinks and indoor pools to welcome the public back comes as London-Middlesex sits in the red-control zone of Ontario's COVID-19 response framework.
Outdoor skating at Victoria Park and the Covent Garden Market has resumed with a capacity limit of 25 people on each rink at any given time. To avoid long lines at Victoria Park, city staff will be at the bandshell as of 10 a.m. each day to hand out wristbands on a first-come, first-serve basis. The wristbands allows the skater on the rink for a 45-minute time slot the following day. Wristband availability can also be checked on line at london.ca/skating.
Storybook Gardens skating trail reopens on Saturday. Anyone wanting to reserve a skating time slot can do so online or by calling 519-661-5575.
The city's indoor skating rinks won't open until Monday. Pre-registration is required.
Select indoor and outdoor recreation programs at city community centres return on Monday, with additional programs returning the first week of March. Registration for the programs is open now online and by phone.
Aquatic programs, including recreational swims and aquafit, are back as of Saturday.
The city reassures all local health guidelines and provincial regulations, such as greater restrictions, capacity limits and modifications to programs, are in place to ensure the safety of staff and those using the facilities. Londoners are also reminded to continue to limit their contact to members of their own household and to maintain physical distance of two metres from all others.
