London recreation centres ready to reopen, but not all businesses will
The Ontario government plans to gradually ease public health measures starting Jan. 31.
The province says the process will be in steps, while maintaining protective measures such as capacity limits.
This means, beginning Monday, Londoners can once again access city pools, arenas and community centres.
“We have been preparing our facilities with the appropriate signage, doing some staff training and doing some other items, so that we are well prepared on Monday, Jan. 31,” says Director of Recreation and Sport for the City of London Jon-Paul McGonigle.
The city says all local health guidelines and provincial regulations, including capacity limits, mask-wearing and proof of vaccination will be in place to ensure the safety of participants and staff.
Due to capacity limits, people are encouraged to use the Play Your Way online portal ensure availability.
"To look at a variety of different programs, across our senior centres, our aquatic facilities, our arenas, our community centres...We do ask that people register for whatever date and session or activity that they would like, and it's important to note that we kind of control the 50 per cent piece in the background in terms of our participants thresholds,” said McGonigle.
Anyone over the age of 12 is required to be fully vaccinated and will need a vaccine certificate with a QR code to access the facilities.
And although it’s exciting for residents that many businesses will be able to re-open – not all can do so immediately.
"I mean you can't flip that on a dime,” said Deb Harvey, the executive director of the Grand Theatre in London.
She adds that the cast and crew will need more time to prepare for their next big production, ‘Room,’ scheduled for March. The production has already been rescheduled twice, but Harvey is hopeful that the curtain will rise by spring.
"That has to be planned usually months, and certainly this time weeks, in advance to try to get that," said Harvey. “Our actors will come back to the theatre to start rehearsals again Feb. 24 to get back up on the stage and ready for the first show on March 8."
For a full list of what will reopen with capacity limits in place, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.