Woodstock Closing Recreation Facilities and Suspending Programs

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Sunday, 15 March 2020 15:21

Woodstock to close Recreation and Culture facilities, and cancel all recreation and culture programs effective March 16.

WOODSTOCK - The following is the latest response from the City of Woodstock regarding COVID-19:

Woodstock to close Recreation and Culture facilities, and cancel all recreation and culture programs effective March 16.

In an effort to address the concerns of the community with regard to the impact of the COVID-19, the city will close the Woodstock District Community Complex, Southside Aquatic Centre, Cowan Park Sportsplex, Civic Arena, Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock Library, Market Centre Theatre, and Woodstock Museum and suspend all recreational programs and cancel all rentals.

All City of Woodstock council meetings, advisory committee meetings of council and committee of council meetings are postponed until April 6, including the public planning and committee of adjustment meeting on Monday, March 16 and the City of Woodstock Council meeting on Thursday, March 19.

March Break programming is cancelled, including March Break camp, public skates and public swims. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but want to do our part to keep residents safe. Program credits or refunds will be arranged with those who have registered. This change will remain in effect at least until Monday April 6, consistent with Ontario Ministry of Education’s school closures, pending the progress of the virus.
Transit will continue to remain operational, and City Hall as well as Engineering will remain open. The waste depot will be open for regular hours. All other essential services will remain operational, including police and fire.

Woodstock City Hall at 500 Dundas Street remains open for business with normal business hours from 8:30 am -4:30 pm. Residents are encouraged to contact City Hall by telephone or by email and use online services where available. Due to COVID-19, we are asking individuals to avoid attending City Hall if they are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, fever, or difficulty breathing.

These steps to reduce service levels is made out of an abundance of caution. At this time, Southwestern Public Health is reporting no cases of COVID-19 in Oxford County. The overall risk is low for residents of Oxford County. As such, these additional steps are being undertaken as a precautionary measure to help mitigate the risk of transmission within our community.

Community Preparedness – What Every Resident Can Do

For more information on the Coronavirus COVID-19, its potential impact on the community and tips on how best to protect yourself in your daily activities, please visit the Southwestern Public Health’s special web page: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/content/community-update-novel-coronavirus-covid-19 and the City of Woodstock page at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/covid-19.

Along with the preventative information provided by the Health Unit, the City would also like to advise residents, if you are sick, please stay home.
The situation is evolving rapidly, and we are closely monitoring the updates issued by Southwestern Public Health and the Province of Ontario related to the spread of COVID-19.

We encourage you to continue to visit the city of Woodstock’s website and Facebook Page for updates.