By Staff
July 13th,2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington residents will have another chance to connect, socialize and be active as redesigned Adult 19+ and Adult 55+ recreational activities are now set to safely resume with a small selection of activities on July 27, 2020 at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre and Central Park.
Residents can view program offerings online at burlington.ca/summer.
Registrations will be accepted starting July 20 at 9 a.m. and can be done online at liveandplay.burlington.ca. Residents who do not have access to technology and are unable to register online can call 905-335-7738. Please note those you may experience longer than usual wait times in the phone queue; limited spots will be reserved initially for phone registrations.
Due to program size restrictions and precautions, summer programs have a limited number of spots available. From July 20 to July 22, participants can only register for two programs. On July 23, participants can register for additional programs. This temporary restriction is to allow for phone registrations. Only residents of Burlington will be able to register for the summer session.
Programs
Five-day program sessions for Adults 55+ will start each Monday and run for five consecutive weekdays in one of three rooms in the Burlington Seniors’ Centre. Programs include learning and discussion series, bridge strategy classes, group music lessons and jam sessions, arts and wellness programs.
Fitness programs for Adults 19+ or 55+ will move to outdoor open spaces behind Central Arena and to locations close to Rotary Youth Centre at 560 Guelph Line. Fitness programs include toning, stretching and wellness classes will be held during cooler morning and evening times each weekday. Outdoor Fitness Programs will run rain or shine and will only be cancelled and refunded due to extreme weather including high winds, thunder or lightning. Dress for conditions required.
Participants must bring their own equipment. There will be no sharing equipment between participants or using BSC materials.
New Procedures at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre
The health and safety of Burlington residents is of the utmost importance. In compliance with the Provincial Guidelines for opening facilities and for the health and safety of all guests, the following standards will be in effect:
• Stay home if you are feeling ill or have been in contact with someone who is ill
• Participants must complete a health screening questionnaire each day, one hour before the start of the program. To complete it online, go to burlington.ca/screening. Assistance will be available for those who need help completing it.
• Masks will be required by all staff and participants at all times in indoor programs and highly recommended in outdoor programs. Individual consideration will be given to participants requiring alternate but similarly effective personal protection, provided staff have approved the alternate PPE prior to program session start dates
• Physical distancing will be maintained in all programs
• Group sizes will remain within regulations
• Program offerings reflect those that best fit within permitted activities, timeframes and cleaning requirements
• Equipment sharing or lending will be eliminated in lieu of Bring Your Own supplies
• Pedestrian traffic flow will be designated and distance markers will be in place in all locations
• All personal belongings will be required to be kept with participants at all times
• Planning ahead is encouraged to reduce the need for washroom use. Washrooms will be available to one guest at a time
• Change rooms will not be available and use of washrooms for changing is not permitted
• Bistro Express will only offer curbside pickup with cashless payment. Pre-order by 10 a.m. for same-day packaging and curbside pickup available between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For menu options or to place an order, call 905-335-7888, ext. 6346
• The BSC will open 15 mins before class start times when staff will assist registered participants with entry to program rooms. Access to the Centre will not be available to non-participants. The facility will be closed following each program period to allow for deep cleaning
Virtual Festivals and events ahead
Based on the Province’s restrictions on group sizes and social gatherings due to COVID-19, the City will continue to investigate and implement virtual celebrations where possible. Given the recent success of the City’s virtual Canada Day event, City staff are exploring virtual Remembrance Day and Santa Claus Parade options. All in-person festivals and events will be cancelled until the provincial group size is increased to 1,000 people.
As residents continue to rediscover many of their favourite spaces and activities in the city, City services may look different as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19. The City’s commitment to providing the community with essential services remains a priority. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and download the free City of Burlington app.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward: “Given the huge success of the TelePALS program, virtual programming will also continue – allowing residents the choice of what services they feel most comfortable participating in. I know our residents are looking forward to gradually being able to meet in person, and staff has introduced measures to keep participants safe. ”
Denise Beard, Acting Director of Recreation Services
Denise Beard, Acting Director of Recreation Services explains that: “Being able to connect and socialize can be a challenge during a pandemic so we hope that our redesigned programs will offer a much-needed boost to those looking to be active and social while staying safe. Online registration will offer the quickest way of registering but we will also hold some spaces specifically for telephone registrations for those who cannot access or are not comfortable online.”
don’t rush opening the seniors centre
I don’t think the time is right to open the Burlington Senior’s Centre. We are currently in Stage 2. I have been told and please correct me if I am wrong. That 10 people will be allowed in each class. To avoid the congregating of members some of the emergency exits will be used as entrances.
The emergency exits are located at the side and back of the building. To access these one would have to walk on grass where there are no handrails or any safety measures ( unless this has changed in the last few months). How will people with walkers deal with this?
Will there be staff at each of these entrances to take temperatures, take written information on who is entering the building ( in the event that contact tracing becomes necessary)?
With regard to “Bistro Express”. Can you imagine the traffic congestion as cars line up for curb side delivery? These cars will be lining up in the same are as Handi-Vans drop off passengers. Who will be delivering these meals to the cars – the Volunteers ( who are seniors)?
One of the reasons the Board of Management ( that no longer exists) did not encourage take out from the Bistro was because all of the sandwich fillings contain Mayo and our concern was that if a senior forgot and left the sandwich in their car, found it a few hours later, and then decided to eat the sandwich, this could result in the senior becoming ill.
The Bistro is classified as a “Private Members Club” by the Regional Health Department. Don’t know if it is permitted to sell food to the public. In the summer one does not have to be a member to participate in programs, so in effect they are the public.
I am aware that many residents do not have access to internet, and presently the Telepal Program that is connecting seniors to each other only requires a phone.
Perhaps another option would be to have programs live screened and seniors could access these programs on their computer or tablet to participate. Doing this would allow more than 10 people to participate in a program and avoid going into the “bricks and mortar” building.