The Tim Hortons Water Feature at Riverwalk Commons is set to flow this weekend, pending a mandatory public health inspection, with activation of the fountains to follow the weekend of July 3.
This comes as part of a gradual and cautious approach to reopening Newmarket that puts public health and safety at the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rogers Spray Pad and Frank Stronach Park Spray Pad opened last Friday, with signage that reminds people to keep six feet apart from others and not gather in groups larger than 10.
These public health measures apply to the Riverwalk Commons water feature, as well.
But while pools are allowed to reopen under stage 2 provincial rules, the Gorman outdoor pool on D’Arcy Street will remain closed, a town report presented to council at its June 22 meeting noted.
“It would be very difficult to accommodate public health measures at the Gorman pool given the size, shape and layout of the building and pool area,” the report said. “The total capacity would allow for approximately 15 patrons at a time. Given the significant investment in opening and preparing the pool for what would be very limited use, the pool is currently closed.”
Once Newmarket and York Region get the nod to move into stage 3 and are permitted to reopen community centres, the indoor pool at the Magna Centre will be the first to open.
Meanwhile, town staff can begin issuing permits for select soccer fields and baseball diamonds so local user groups can set up practices for 10 or fewer members at a time.
There will be no charge for the permits and groups are required to follow local public health measures of physical distancing and social gathering limits, as well as the guidance of their associations.
Recreational play only is allowed at this time.
Councillor Grace Simon’s request to reopen area basketball courts so young people have an outlet during the pandemic was shot down.
“It’s been tough for our youth and young adults, and people are getting more anxious and frustrated,” Simon said. “I have a growing concern for youth and young adults to be able to get together as friends. There’s a lot of focus on seniors, families and young children, but not them.”
Mayor John Taylor said enforcing physical distancing and social gathering limits of 10 people maximum with the contact sport would be challenging.
Recreation and culture director Colin Service said it’s unlikely basketball courts would reopen until physical distancing and social gathering limitations are lifted because of the high risk for the spread of the coronavirus.
“For some communities that have opened basketball courts, it’s been an ongoing challenge,” said Taylor, adding that soccer or baseball organizations provide adult supervision during practices.
Also due to the inability to maintain physical distancing, the Elman Campbell Museum remains closed until fall 2020.
