VON WEEK 2020
Across Windsor-Essex VON employees are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. The efforts of VON caregivers are helping to keep people fed, cared for and safe in their homes. These caregivers are all heroes in this global effort. For VON Week, from May 17 – 23, we celebrate them. We invite you to join us. Visit www.von.ca/covid-19 to see how you can show your support for the people supporting us.

The Rotary Clubs of Peterborough and Peterborough Kawartha regret to announce that the Canada Day celebration scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at Crary Park has been cancelled.

With warmer weather on the way, the Municipality of Leamington has retained the services of the Commissionaires to assist Municipal By-law Enforcement Officers in patrolling busy areas including Seacliff Park, Seacliff Beach and the waterfront promenade. The goal is to educate the public and ensure compliance with provincial orders related to limiting gatherings of 5 or more people and the closure of outdoor recreational amenities, in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.  

At this time, outdoor recreational amenities including Leamington parks, sports fields and pavilions remain closed to the public, in response to the Government of Ontario's emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). This includes playgrounds, beaches, basketball and tennis courts, the skateboard park, picnic areas and gazebos, park shelters, benches, outdoor exercise equipment, the pedestrian pier and the off-leash dog park. Outdoor recreational amenities that are not otherwise closed, remain open for walk-through access only.

Closure signs have been posted at community parks to prevent public access and play structures and equipment have been taped off.

Members of the public can report EMCPA infractions by calling the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Municipality at 519-326-5761 or reporting online at www.leamington.ca/reportanissue. Citizens are requested to use their judgment and only report blatant infractions.

The City of Windsor’s 2020 Spay/Neuter Voucher Program saw the program’s 260 vouchers for feral and owned cats claimed in record time. These vouchers were set to expire on June 9, 2020. Due to a reduction in veterinary services offered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these vouchers were not able to be used. With restrictions lifting, administration has approved an extended deadline and all vouchers must now be used by July 31, 2020.

The initial phase of recipients is still able to redeem the vouchers—valued at $75 each—at any participating veterinary clinic before the expiry date. Shortly after the deadline has passed, the number of vouchers remaining will be determined, and those residents who were placed on the waiting list during their initial call to 311 will be contacted to determine interest.

Program details are available at www.citywindsor.ca or by calling 311.

Parks and Recreation staff will proceed with the inspections and cleaning of the tennis courts in parks, as well as creating signage to affix to the courts regarding the new safety guidelines for use. It is anticipated that staff will be ready to remove the chains and locks, and the courts will be ready Tuesday, May 19.

The City of Windsor wants to remind residents that social distancing restrictions, i.e. keeping 2 metres from others and avoiding gatherings of more than 5 people remain in place. This applies to all areas including fields, parks,  sidewalks, businesses and open spaces.

Lakeview Park Marina, which was closed prior to the pandemic’s restrictions for major renovations will remain closed until construction is completed later this summer.

The boat launch at Lakeview Park Marina will remain closed, as it is within the construction zone noted above. 

The small non-motorized boat launches at Stop 26 and Shanfield Shores will be ready to be open this Saturday morning by 10 a.m. 

The boat launch at McKee will remain closed due to high water levels, which have created unsafe conditions.

Informal use of outdoor sports fields will be allowed for individual exercise or training, or for small groups of 5 or less. Parks staff will continue to maintain the grass areas only at the same level that is currently being provided for open park areas. Sport stadiums will remain closed.

In Windsor, staff at the municipally run Roseland Golf and Curling Club have been anticipating this announcement and preparing the course with new guidelines and restrictions designed to keep staff and patrons safe, and the course will re-open on Saturday with the first tee-time being 7:30 a.m. Golfers, please review the new golfer guidelines prior to visiting. 

Windsor’s Little River Golf Course will remain closed as more time is needed to prepare this facility.