The City of Windsor is reversing its decision to open Lanspeary Park to outdoor skating.
The rink was slated to open on Monday but after discussions with Windsor’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Windsor City Councillors decided it was best to keep the rink closed.
Councillors made the decision Monday during the city’s regular meeting of the council, just as the Ontario government announced a province-wide lockdown after Christmas.
Under the lockdown criteria, outdoor skating is permitted but Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens feared opening the rink would send mixed messages to residents.
“While we were technically within provincial guidelines to safely open today, today’s announcement by the Premier, the situation will change as of December 26th. Therefore, based on public health advice, we’ve decided that the time is simply not right to open outdoor skating rinks”, said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “The closure will remain in place for the duration of the lockdown, and then be re-evaluated.”
The rink would have allowed up to 25 people at a time to allow for social distancing. However, under the grey-lockdown restrictions in the government’s Reopening Ontario framework organized outdoor gatherings must be limited to 10 people.
Opening the rink will be reconsidered after the 28-day lockdown is completed.
Councillors also discussed if trails and tobogganing hills should be closed as well but ultimately decided extra measures were not necessary at this time.
