COVID-19 Recreation Updates & Cancellations
This page contains up-to-date information re COVID-19 impacts on recreation services.
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Facilities Partially Open
Appointments Required for all Activities
Allandale Recreation Centre, East Bayfield Community Centre, and Holly Community Centre are open for the following activities only:
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registered drop-in use of the pool and fitness facilities
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fitness classes
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select instructional classes (i.e. swimming lessons, art classes, etc.)
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gymnasium sports
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stick and puck hockey
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public skates
You must
book an appointment time online in advance for all activities. Please follow all stated health and safety protocols while using these facilities.
Ice Bookings & Facility Rentals
For ice rental opportunities please email
ice.bookings@barrie.ca. Public rentals of the City’s community facilities (including Parkview, Dorian Parker, Lampman Lane and Southshore Centre) are unavailable until further notice. For current fee information please refer to
Rentals and Bookings.
Fees & Memberships
Regular fees apply for single visits (for fitness centre, pool or fitness class use) and recPASS memberships are available to purchase. Users that had
recPASS memberships that were on hold due to COVID are able to attend the City's recreation centres to take part in activities that are currently being offered.
Showers, Washrooms & Change Rooms
We encourage people to come dressed for their activity as much as possible to maximize their booked time.
Change rooms and showers are available for pool users; please remain in your swimsuit while showering. There is one
washroom open for the fitness centre and one open for the pool facilities. Lockers are not available for any activity. Change rooms are only available for swimming.
Procedures Affecting Recreation Users Outside of Simcoe Muskoka
After consultation with and following the advice of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, the City has implemented some changes to ensure our area residents have access to our programs, ice bookings and instructional classes at our recreation centres. This is in response to a large influx of individuals and groups using our recreation facilities from outside the Simcoe Muskoka region. Effective October 22, 2020, the City:
- Limited ice booking opportunities to individuals and groups residing in the Simcoe Muskoka region (proof required upon booking) until further notice. Existing ice bookings (those already in our system) from individuals or groups from outside the Simcoe Muskoka region will have their rental agreement honoured.
- Limited new account registrations. Only individuals and groups residing in the Simcoe Muskoka region will be able to create an account to access the City’s instructional classes or programs. Individuals with existing accounts will continue to be able to book recreational opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Health & Safety | |
|---|
| What health and safety measures has the City put in place at the recreation centres? | |
The City continues to follow the guidelines of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit on the safe reopening of our recreation facilities, including: - Mandatory masks and face coverings must be worn at all times inside the facility, except when using fitness equipment, when in the pool or on the ice.
- Hand sanitizer is provided at numerous points throughout the facility.
- We have implemented enhanced cleaning of high-traffic public spaces.
- Traffic flow is designated one-way and there are many signs to encourage physical distancing.
- Staff will ask you COVID-19 screening questions prior to entry.
- No spectators (except for parent/guardian supervision of children under the age of 18).
For Open Swims, we have new safety measures in addition to our existing admission standards: - Participants 14 years of age and under must be accompanied by a guardian who is a minimum of 15 years of age.
- Each guardian may only bring a max of 4 children between the ages of 6 and 14, and a max of 2 children under 6 years of age, and must remain within the pool enclosure to ensure that physical distancing of 3 metres is maintained throughout the swim (with the exception of those who are within your group).
- Admission is limited to five per group.
For the Fitness/Lane Swims: - Appointment spaces are limited to 6 swimmers total in the large pool (one per lane) so physical distancing is possible.
- Anyone who is 10+ can come to a Fitness/Lane swim without a guardian in the pool enclosure.
For Gym Programs (basketball, badminton, volleyball, etc.):
- Specific health and safety precautions are in place for each sport, to ensure adherence to capacity limits and physical distancing.
- Please review the specific safety protocols for each gym program (available in the description of the activity when you register online) before coming into the centre.
- Users are encouraged to bring their own equipment (i.e. basketball, volleyball, etc.)
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| Do I have to wear a mask or face covering when I am using the fitness equipment, in the pool or on the ice? | |
No. However, you will have to put on your mask or face covering when transitioning between pieces of equipment (e.g. moving from the treadmill to the bike). Masks or face coverings are also required on the pool deck before entering the water, and immediately after exiting the water. Masks or face coverings are also required immediately before entering the ice, and immediately upon exiting the ice.
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| Fitness Centre | |
|---|
| Where can I put my mask while I am working out? | |
While using the fitness equipment, you can place your mask in your pocket. |
| What do I need to bring to my fitness appointment? | |
Please arrive at the facility already changed and bring your refillable water bottle and your mask. You may also bring a small bag for your belongings but change rooms and lockers will not be available at this time. If you are using the indoor pool, please bring your own PFD (if required) and a towel. |
| Do youth have access to the fitness centre? | |
Youth aged 13–17 are invited to use the fitness centre if they have completed the Smart Start Youth Orientation. The City is currently not able to offer the orientation program, however youth who do not have their Smart Start Youth Orientation are still welcome to use the indoor pool. |
| Will the fitness equipment be sanitized after every use? | |
Yes. Recreation staff will sanitize each piece of fitness equipment after every use. |
| Fitness Classes | |
|---|
| Are all fitness classes available? | |
The City is looking at offering a number of different classes, but the full schedule and variety may not be available as classes are subject to instructor availability. Visit
play.barrie.ca to see what classes are currently available. |
| What safety precautions are applicable to fitness classes? | |
Fitness class participants will need to follow all safety guidelines, including physical distancing guidelines/markers while in the classes (space between patrons should be 3 metres for areas of a sport or recreational facility where there are weights/weight machines and exercise/fitness classes). Participant numbers will capped based on capacity limits at each facility location. Masks/face coverings are not required while actively taking part in fitness classes, but are required while entering and exiting the class, and moving throughout the recreation facility. |
| Pool | |
|---|
| What do I need to bring to my swim appointment? | |
Please arrive at the facility already changed and bring your mask. You may also bring a small bag for your belongings but lockers will not be available at this time. Please bring your own PFD (if required) and a towel. |
| Can I bring a toy or ball to the pool for family swim? | |
Yes, one toy or ball per child is permitted during family swim time. |
| What protocols are in place when attending swimming lessons? | |
Due to restrictions for physical distancing, lesson participants for Preschool 1-5 and Swimmer 1-3 must be accompanied by a guardian responsible for managing and assisting the participant. The guardian must go in the water with the participant. For lesson participants in Swimmer 1 to 3, the guardian must have a proficient swimming ability, defined as the ability to complete the Deep End Test consisting of 1 full width of the shallow end of the pool, with their face in the water (breathing when needed), with big arm circles coming out of the water. All swimming lesson class sizes are capped at four people to ensure physical distancing. Please come ready in your swimming attire. A designated change room will be available at the end of the lesson. Participants of pool activities must maintain
3 metres distancing.
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| recPASS Memberships | |
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| Are the select fitness classes available September 8 included in existing recreation memberships? | |
Yes. Members are not limited to the number of select fitness classes they can book with their membership. |
| What if I had cancelled my recPASS membership in the last six months? | |
If you cancelled your
recPASS membership during the time the Recreation Centres were closed, you will have to sign up again for a new membership. New recPASS memberships purchased starting September 8 and afterwards will be charged effective immediately. |
| When will new fitness memberships be available for purchase? | |
Residents and non-residents will be able to purchase new recreation memberships starting September 8. |
| How do I purchase a recPASS? | |
recPASS memberships can be purchased in person at Allandale Recreation Centre, East Bayfield Community Centre or Holly Community Centre. |
| How do I cancel my recPASS? | |
Members can cancel their existing fitness memberships by emailing
recinfo@barrie.ca or by calling a local recreation centre. |
| If I don’t have a recPASS, what is the cost to use the fitness centers and pools, or to attend a fitness class? | |
Effective September 8,
regular fees will apply for single visits (for fitness centre, pool or fitness class use). |
| Future Plans | |
|---|
| When will more recreation services and facilities be opened? | |
The City is taking a phased approach to the opening of facilities, and program offerings. Staff are monitoring each program on an ongoing basis. Every sport has specific return to play protocols based on the Provincial Order at the current date. The City will adjust programming based on all these factors.
There is no approximate date for the re-opening of the seniors centres. We want to be extra vigilant about keeping seniors safe as they are a high-risk group.
There is no approximate date for public rentals of the City's community facilities (including Parkview, Dorian Parker, Lampman Lane and Southshore Centre).
More information about the reopening of the remainder of the City's recreation and community facilities will be shared as it becomes available. Updates will be
sent to media, posted to this webpage,
Facebook and
Twitter, and sent by
e-news.
The City continues to follow the
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's guidelines on the safe reopening of facilities.
|
| When will seniors centres open? | |
The City currently has no approximate reopening date set for the seniors centres. We want to be extra vigilant about keeping seniors safe as they are a high-risk group. The City continues to offer ‘Seniors Centre Without Walls’ programming. Some additional seniors programming is scheduled to begin in late fall. |