UPDATE, 4:30 P.M.: The Town of Newmarket has cancelled scheduled and drop-in programming at all its recreational facilities due to the incelement weather.
The municipality also said it has closed the Lions Park Hockey Rink and the Mercedes-Benz Outdoor Skating Feature due to the inclement weather. All full list of impacted facilities can be found here.
Central York Fire Services is also requesting that residents adopt fire hydrants, clearing a path to and from them in their area.
"In a fire emergency, every second counts. If firefighters have to dig out a municipal hydrant before starting firefighting operations, this can cost valuable minutes," the fire department said.
Further, the fire department reminded residents to keep clear areas around home, including exhaust vents for dryer, furnace, wood burning or gas stoves.
"Ensure these areas are not obstructed by snow or ice build-up to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide," the fire department said.
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The Town of Newmarket is asking for patience as plow crews do battle with a massive winter storm going through Ontario.
The town provided an update Feb. 16 for ongoing operations, which began anew at 6 a.m. today. The town is under a significant weather declaration, signalling that roads will take longer to clear. The municipality also kept its recreation facilities closed until noon today to allow for more clearing time.
“As snow continues to fall, it will take longer to complete all areas. Please be patient as crews make their way around town,” the municipality said on social media.
Newmarket is projected to get between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow total today, according to local weather forecasts from Environment Canada, after receiving heavy snowfall yesterday as well. Heavy snow has hit throughout the GTA and southern Ontario as a storm makes its way through.
The municipality said it will be focused on primary routes, followed by secondary routes. The town urged residents to avoid parking on the street and respect plow operators.
Several facilities are only opening at noon, including the Magna Centre, Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, Keith Davis Tennis Centre, the Old Town Hall, the Recreation Youth Centre and telMAX Indoor Skate Park, and the Community Centre and Lions Hall. Some facilities in town will also be closed for Family Day.
During a significant weather event, the town also said property owners can help aid the town by clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property and not shovelling snow to the street.
“Be a good neighbour and lend a hand to those who are physically unable to shovel or have difficulty leaving their home due to snow or ice,” the town said.
More information is available at https://www.newmarket.ca/snowclearing.