In her newsletter A Better Burlington, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward praises that jewel of a beach iin the Bechway part of the city – and then warns people of the traffic and parking problems.
Pay attention – she is trying to help.
“As the hot summer temperatures continue, the City of Burlington is reminding residents and visitors of some of the ways they can stay cool while continuing to protect the health and safety of the community and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
It is an incredible stretch of sandy beach – it will be busy and there isn’t enough parking.
“Burlington’s beautiful waterfront at Beachway Park is a popular destination when temperatures are high, however, visitors to the beach are reminded:
“ The City of Burlington continues to be in a state of emergency due to COVID-19. Please continue to respect physical distancing measures at all times
“ Keep two metres away from others (e.g. the length of a hockey stick) sitting on the beach and in the water
Gather in groups of no more than 10 people who are part of your social circle
Move to the right on the Waterfront trail to make room for others to pass safely.
“The City will be taking some additional measures to educate residents and control parking around the Beachway. City of Burlington Park Ambassadors and Parking Enforcement Staff will also be in the vicinity to assist with these measures.
Additional signs will be placed informing visitors of:
He’s doing his job – probably grateful you gave it to him.
No parking zones, tow away zones Cost of parking tickets on signs (where possible) “Parking lot full” signs at street entrances Physical distancing signs at more locations.
“Parking spaces at Beachway Park are limited and the lot fills quickly. Visitors are reminded to:
“Consider coming back another time if the parking lot is full, or parking their vehicle in an alternative location where parking is permitted and space exists on the beach to ensure physical distancing
Avoid parking illegally – City bylaw officers will be enforcing ticketing and towing to discourage overcrowding at the beach.
Outdoor Pools and Spray Pads
Wading pool at LaSalle Park will be packed. Don’t hog the available time in the water
Beginning Saturday, July 11, the outdoor pools at Mountainside Park and Nelson Park will be open for lap and leisure swims. Spray pads throughout the city and the LaSalle wading pool are also open, since July 4.
In following provincial guidelines on the safe reopening of pools, online registration and pre-payment is required and available for Burlington residents only. No walk-ins are accepted at this time. To create an account and/or register, go to liveandplay.burlington.ca.
In addition to pre-registration, the number of swimmers allowed in each pool will be restricted to ensure physical distancing. Time-limits will also be in place to allow more people to enjoy the pools and for staff to disinfect the area for the next group of swimmers.
Important note for parking at Nelson Pool: Visitors registered to swim at Nelson Pool should note the parking lot is closed for paving and will reopen upon completion. Pool patrons are asked to park at the Pauline Johnson Public School parking lot at 4350 Longmoor Dr., access off Longmoor Drive.
Cooling Centre
Extended heat warnings are issued by Halton Region when forecast temperatures are expected to be at least 31°C and overnight temperatures are above 20°C for at least three days, or the humidex is at least 40°C for a minimum of three days.
During COVID-19, when an extended heat warning is issued, the City will open a cooling centre in the auditorium in Central Arena, located at 519 Drury Lane, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community members can use the facility for one-hour increments and will be screened for COVID-19 when they arrive. Measures will be in place to ensure physical distancing and visitors are encouraged to wear a non-medical face covering. Please stay home if you are ill and always practice physical distancing (2m).
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
“Our Beachway Park is a gem in Burlington and a destination not just for our community but others across the GTHA. While we look for ways to cool down during these hot summer days, we need to remember we are still in a pandemic and COVID-19 is still very much a part of our lives.
I’m grateful to our City staff for putting together so quickly a strategy to mitigate overcrowding at our beach and illegal parking, while encouraging everyone heading down there to follow safety and health guidelines. Our beach can be a great escape during these tough times – let’s ensure everyone who uses it has a positive experience.
LaSalle Pool Opening July 4; Mountainside and Nelson Outdoor Pools Opening July 11
The opening dates are a little earlier than Parks and Recreation expected; they will be open for lap and leisure swims.
Swimming pools are open. Check out the available programs and register for a spot.
This isn’t however going to be a normal summer. While things look good on the surface there is amongst us a virus that can’t wait to jump from someone who has COVID19 to someone who doesn’t.
This virus is passed from person to person.
The Provincial Guidelines on the safe reopening of pools means pool access will now be done through online registration and pre-payment for Burlington residents only.
There will be no walk-in pool access accepted at this time. To create an account CLICK HERE t
To help ensure physical distancing, the number of swimmers allowed in each pool will be restricted. Time-limits will also be in place to allow more people to enjoy the pools and for staff to disinfect the area for the next group of swimmers.
Residents will have an opportunity to register no more than 25-hours before the start of the program. Residents are asked to book only one swim per day to help accommodate as many swimmers as possible and to complete a health screening questionnaire.
Nelson pool
New Procedures at the Pools
The health and safety of Burlington residents is of the upmost importance. In compliance with the Provincial Guidelines for opening aquatic facilities and for the health and safety of all guests, the following standards will be in effect:
• Bring proof of registration to the pool • Enter the pool using only the entry point; exit the pool using only the exit point at the opposite end of the pool • Outdoor showers will be available for use before entering and re-entering the pool • Use of changerooms is limited to washroom use only; guests should arrive wearing swimming attire and to change and shower at home afterward
• On-deck viewing is not available • Physical distance of 2m (6ft) must always be maintained; within the pool and on the pool deck • Guests will be asked to exit the deck area without delay after each swim to allow for cleaning and disinfection before the next swim • Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs as use of deck furniture will be restricted • Guests are encouraged to bring their own filled plastic water bottles – water fountains will not be available; • All play equipment will not be in use, including splash features, diving boards, climbing wall, and waterslide • Regular supervision requirements apply. Visit burlington.ca/playstandards
Lap Swimming
The pools will be divided into double lanes. Registered swimmers are to swim clockwise on the black line of one lane and come back on the black line of the next lane, forming a loop.
Leisure Swims
To help support physical distancing,
Mountainside and Nelson Pools will be divided into shallow, middle and deep areas.
The City announced the opening of spray pads on June 26. Redesigned summer camps and outdoor pool programs will begin on July 13.
Following public health recommendations and the Province’s emergency orders, COVID-19 precautions and preparations will be in place to reduce the spread of the virus. All redesigned programs and services will look very different from pre-COVID-19 programs and will still be high quality, fun, active and create great summer memories.
This place will be busy on Friday.
To ensure crowd management, all programs and pool use (including lap and rec swims) will require pre-registration and payment. There is no registration required for spray pads.
All programs and offerings can be viewed online at burlington.ca/summer.
Registrations are only being accepted online at liveandplay.burlington.ca. If you need assistance, please call 905-335-7600 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or email liveandplay@burlington.ca.
Anyone attending a camp or swim must follow strict COVID-19 procedures. Staying home if the participant or any family member is sick or has come in contact with anyone who is sick. Wash hands frequently, cough and sneeze into sleeve/arm and follow all City rules and regulations. Masks and face coverings will be optional.
Is this a summer day camp setting?
Summer Camps
Full-day summer SNAP camps for kids aged four to ten years will be held at Brant Hills Community Centre, Tansley Woods Community Centre, Aldershot Arena and Haber Recreational Centre.
Performing Arts Camp for kids ages nine to 15 years will be held at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Camp activities will include outdoor games, crafts, art and nature-based activities.
Funny hats and smiling faces – all part of the summer day camp experience.
Camper’s safety is the first priority. Staff will receive enhanced training on the additional health and safety regulations. There will now be one dedicated staff to every four children, with a maximum of two staff and eight campers in a room.
Each camp group will stay together for the entire week, and not interact with other groups.
To support and enhance the safety of campers and staff, caregivers will receive a phone call before camps begin to emphasize the importance of following the camp code of conduct and do a pre-camp health check.
Completing the call with staff is required for your child to be admitted to camp. In addition, parents will learn about the cleaning of facilities with special attention to high touch surfaces like door handles and counters. Each camp group will have dedicated spaces and washroom facilities to further reduce exposure to other groups.
Caregivers will also be sent an email with a video link to where to drop campers off, facility layout and set up as well as were to pick up the camper at the end of the day.
Registration dates, beginning at 9 a.m.: • Monday, June 29 for camp programs July 13 and July 20 • Monday, July 13 for camp programs July 27 and Aug. 3 • Monday, July 27 for camp programs Aug. 10 and 17 • Monday, Aug. 10 for camp programs Aug. 24 Outdoor Pools
Nelson Pool and Splash Park, Mountainside Pool and Splash Park and LaSalle Splash Park will be ready on July 13.
The number of people allowed in at any time will be kept low so people can maintain physical distancing. The play features at Nelson and Mountainside will remain closed. To register online for lap and rec swims 25 hours prior to start of program time, go to liveandplay.burlington.ca.
The number of kids in those wading pool will be lower.
In addition to the outdoor pools, spray pads will open on Friday, June 26. For a listing of locations, go to burlington.ca/waterplay.
At the spray pads, please ensure your child stays two metres away from anyone not in your social circle or household. If a spray pad is crowded, please try another spray pad or come back another day.
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.
Tough year for the boating community. The boats will not be going into the water.
In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of volunteers and boaters, the boards of directors for the LaSalle Park Marina Association (LPMA) and the Burlington Sailing and Boating Club (BS&BC) have announced the LaSalle Park Community Marina and BS&BC sailing programs will not operate for the 2020 summer season.
The decision to close the marina made sense – it puts into stark relief the decision to use $4 million from the Hydro Reserve fund to pay for the building of the wave break. Talk about unintended consequences.
The decision to close the marina was made by the LPMA and the BS&SC, who took the following into consideration:
• Volunteer safety – in order to install the docks at the marina, volunteers are required to work within small boats where physical distancing is not possible.
• Shortened boating season – construction of the new wave break at the LaSalle Park Community Marina was delayed due to impacts from COVID-19. While the wave break is now completed, the LPMA estimates the installation of the docks and placement of boats in the water would take four to five weeks, resulting in a significantly shorter boating season.
• Financial impacts – with COVID-19 precautions and a shortened boating season, many boaters have indicated they will not be launching their boats, impacting the funding needed to operate the marina.
Public Boat Launch
The public boat launch at LaSalle Park Community Marina will also remain closed for the summer for boats on trailers. A portion of the parking lot typically used for boat trailers will not be accessible as it continues to be used for the storage of boats and finger docks.
Residents are still able to use the marina area to enjoy views of the water, bird watching and to launch canoes and kayaks that are not on a trailer.
Lurking in the background is the matter of how will Burlington manage to renew the lease they have on property owned by Hamilton and used as both a public park and the Marina Association. Two years left on that lease.
There will be something in the way of a summer program if and when the province decides to let Burlington move to Stage 2 of the re-opening of the province.
Splash pads will be open.
Splash pads will open – not all of them.
Some rinks will be open – Appleby and Aldershot will not be opened – nor will Skyway
Some of the ice rinks will be open but only for groups that have the permission of their Sports organization. The one expected to make the most use is the figure skating people.
The Parks and Recreation people need to be assured that there will be at least 40 hours of ice time rented, preferably 60 before they begin to make ice – a process that will take two weeks.
Outdoor pools will be open
Outdoor pools will be opened – subject to whatever the province puts in place in terms of rules and approval from the Regional Public Health Unit.
Mayor Meed Ward said she would like to see at least one indoor pool made available.
There will be something in the way of a Summer Camp program – here as well – the city is waiting for the rules.
How many children can there be in any one camp; where will the camps be held. At this point the Standing Committee that met virtually on Thursday has more questions than answers.
It did give the Parks and Recreation people an additional $300,000 to spend – that was on top of the $500,000 that was already in the budget.
Those fences along the Beachway didn’t last all that long – they certainly raised the hackles on the back of a lot of necks.
Some felt the city was a little heavy handed – but the rules were were pretty clear – Beaches were closed.
At a Special Meeting of Council on Wednesday, Council approved interim modifications to the City’s parks operations service, including the removal of the fencing currently in place at Beachway Park.
If the people in the center are all from the same family this would be legal. The rules are in place for a very good reason – they prevent the transmission of the virus.
The changes to the parks service also allow for temporary washroom facilities to be installed at Spencer Smith Park, Beachway Park and Burloak Park with enhanced service.
The fencing at Beachway Park will be taken down next week and the portable toilets and handwashing stations will be installed at Beachway Park, dependent on availability.
When walking along the beach, residents are reminded to continue to be vigilant about public health practices and provincial directives to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including:
• Maintaining 2 metre physical distance from anyone you don’t live with • Gathering in groups of 5 or fewer • Staying home if you feel sick • Washing and sanitizing hands before and after visiting the area.
The washroom facilities in the Pavilion on the Beachway are in terrible shape. They have been in need of an upgrade for some time – that work is not scheduled to start until September.
Access to washrooms
The washrooms in the pavilion at Beachway Park will remain closed as a result of pre-existing structural issues which are scheduled to be corrected with construction in September 2020. In their place, portable bathrooms and hand washing stations will be made available and cleaned by City parks staff on a regular basis.
The temporary washroom facilities at Spencer Smith Park, Beachway Park and Burloak Park will be installed once available from the supplier, approximately the end of June. The re-opening of other city park washrooms, with enhanced cleaning, will be phased in.
Beach maintenance and safety
City Council approved the hiring of students and temporary staff to assist with this important service and general parks maintenance. City parks staff will provide reduced beach maintenance, including grooming the beach and enhanced cleaning of washrooms. Please place waste in receptacles or take it home with you for disposal to help keep the beach safe for everyone.
Halton Region monitors public beaches to help ensure safe water quality for swimmers. Water quality testing at Beachway Park by Halton Region Public Health is currently not taking place. For updates and more information, please dial 311.
The resumption of City services and spaces is something everyone is looking forward to, but caution that it is vital to continue to do it slowly and carefully with the right precautions.
The city is asking for your patience and understanding as the City works to ensure it has resources and policies in place that align with Provincial regulations and the latest guidance from Halton Region public health to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
City pools and splash pads are still closed until the province loosens up the rules.
The gambling scene has certainly come a long way over the last few decades.
With the proliferation of online casinos and gambling platforms, the opportunities for high-quality and dynamic playing have never been greater. Although America tends to enjoy the more robust reputation for gambling possibilities – it is home to Las Vegas after all – there are actually a few key differences in gambling legislation that give Canada’s casinos a bit more freedom. That’s good news if you’re looking for an awesome online casino for Canadians that will present few obstacles to the gameplay. There’s no doubt that you can certainly find excellent gambling sites no matter where you are, but it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to understand the different laws that govern this activity in Canada and the United States.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
Back in 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIEGA) was introduced into US legislation under President Bush. Although it has since been clarified and it’s restrictions loosened, it initially served to prevent payments on various kinds of online gambling. Although in its current iteration it focuses mostly on determining how betting on sporting events can be done, it still causes some headaches below the border. Ultimately, it can make it difficult for players to use certain types of payment when playing at online casinos. The way it is implemented varies state-to-state, meaning that some places enjoy more streamlined access to online casinos.
Despite the fact that the UIGEA doesn’t necessarily prohibit online gambling, it can simply add another step and therefore acts as a big enough inconvenience to dissuade some players from taking advantage of all the online gambling opportunities that exist.
In Canada, on the other hand, there is no need to overcome these limitations. No federal framework governing the parameters of online casinos exists, and therefore they can operate more freelance and are only subject to the controls imposed by each jurisdiction. Overall, the lack of an overarching legal requirement makes it easier to transfer money directly to the gambling site of one’s choosing, using a variety of payment methods, and to be able to withdraw without hassle. With fewer impediments to account for, it provides a pleasant and coherent online casino experience.
You should still do your research
That being said, there are always going to be crooks out there ready to take advantage of a loosely governed situation, and it is therefore important to do a bit of research before deciding where to play. Keep in mind that having a gambling license is just the first step in running a fully legal operation, and in order to ensure that everything is being done above board, you should dig around a bit and see what you can find about the casino in question. If anything seems fishy, you’d be well advised to look elsewhere. There are plenty of great gambling opportunities that are 100% legal, so there’s absolutely no need to put yourself at risk.
The last word.
Online gambling is legal in both Canada and the United States, and both countries offer plenty of legal online casinos to choose from. Due to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which exists exclusively in the United States, it can be a little bit more difficult to transfer and withdraw funds for certain types of gaming. As it stands, there is no equivalent legislation in Canada so it presents a more economically flexible environment in which to explore the world of online casinos and gambling. Nevertheless, it is also advisable to research a specific casino before playing.
It started on the 25th when the weather was great – that Beach was either just too tempting to stay away from or there are a lot of people who are hard of hearing and can’t read.
On the 28th, Thursday, the city decided they would take strong steps and put up fences to keep people off the beach.
People want to be near the water – it’s the lake and beach that make much of what Burlington is all about.
The province mandated that Beaches were to stay closed period.
Many appear to have thought that if they respected the six foot social distance rule they were Ok – they weren’t.
The Premier of the Province has taken part in a media event every week day for some weeks. We expect that he will be on TV again on Monday – maybe that rule about beaches being closed will be relaxed.
It used to be people, people, people – for almost as far as the eye could see along the Beachway. Province said No and the sound has fenced off the area.
There are a lot of people who aren’t happy with those Beaches being closed.
The Mayor isn’t one of them. When asked why, she is reported to have told other media that they can look to the FAQ section on the city website for the details.
Mayor Meed Ward presiding over a virtual city council meeting
The Mayor’s statement is reported to read: “Unfortunately, despite announcements and signage asking people to comply with the Provincially-mandated beach closure, last weekend, we saw a high volume of users on the beach who even when approached with educational measures by our bylaw team, still refused to leave,” reads the statement.
“Our options at this point are either: to issue a high volume of costly tickets; to accept increasingly higher numbers of COVID-19 in Ontario as we have seen since May 10; or to put up a fence.”
Public beaches across Ontario are currently closed following the provinces Emergency orders.
Burlington’s elected Council meets in different ways.
Sometimes in Workshop mode where the procedural rules are thin – the objective is to exchange ideas – there is usually a speaker making a presentation involved.
Council also meets as a Standing Committee; there are three of those
EICS: Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services Committee CPRM: Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility Committee CSSRA: Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee
The Standing Committees is where the real debates take place.
Usually there is a Staff presentation, delegations and opportunities for Council members to ask questions. This interaction allows staff to get a better sense of what the community thinks – frequently changes are made during the meeting so that the report can go to Council for approval.
Then they meet as a Council where they pass bylaws that approve action that will be taken.
Four people in the Council Chamber – was the air conditioning shut off.
Monday evening the seven elected members met as a Council in a virtual setting, no public in the Council Chamber and other than the Mayor, the Clerk and two administration staff the room was empty.
The Mayor strutted her stuff and zipped through the agenda in very short order. There were no delegations.
Then there was discussion on support for organized sports and what kind of use the parks can be put to.
The parks are open but there are limits as to just how they can be used.
The province has a rule – no more than five people congregating and those people should be people who live together in the same house.
When the question as to how this applied to private swimming pools the conversation came close to being silly.
The province has the five people rule; Burlington has a six foot social distance bylaw. “How” asked Councillor Sharman “are you going to apply that to a private swimming pool when there are three people who are members of a family and two who are not.”
The idea of a six foot rule applying to a swimming pool is a stretch – good luck with that one.
Sharman added that his understanding of the provincial five people rule was that the members of a family (say three people would count as one – allowing five friends to join the group – making it five
Crowding got out of hand in one Toronto park. In two weeks we will know if virus infections increased. If they do we will know where and how the contamination is spread.
Not so said Heather MacDonald the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility who had earlier said “We consider a group of five to be five people who live in the same house”. Later adding that “we interpret what the province has told us it is to be”.
Sharman did not have a follow up question.
Clearly a need for better communication on this issue
Mayor Meed Ward cleared it up when she wondered what the difficulty was in figuring out what five people was. If you have two children and a parent and an additional two children who ate not part of the family – that is an acceptable group of five. That’s the provincial rule.
In Burlington members of a family can walk side by side – others have to be six feet away.
Councillor Angelo Bentivegna wanted to know why the skate parks were open but the Bocce Ball courts were not open.
That was easy: Chris Glenn explained that the actual bocce balls would have to be wiped clean after each use and that wasn’t possible – just didn’t have the staff to do it.
The City has created Park Ambassadors – teams of two people who roam the parks to explain to people what they might be doing might not be permitted.
There are two such teams – they are staff people who have been pulled from their normal duties and sent out into the sunshine to try and ensure that there is some order in the parks
The Beaches are closed. The Splash Pads are closed. The Public Pools are closed.
Chris Glenn seemed to suggest that it might come down to putting out garden type hoses for kids to use to cool down.
Keeping people six feet apart in parks was described as a problem by Councillor Kearns. She wanted to know what Burlington was going to do to ensure that Burlington doesn’t experience what Toronto experienced.
Heather MacDonald mentioned the idea that had been used in San Francisco where large circles were painted that would hold five people.
Will Burlington see social distance circles painted in park grass ?
Mary Battaglia, Director of Roads and Park Maintenance told Council that if circles were painted on the grass in Burlington she would have to hire people to do the work and added that she didn’t have budget for that. Also the circles would have to be repainted in two weeks.
One Council member wanted to know what she thought of the Vancouver idea where there were circles painted on the grass. Mary explained that in time the grass would grow and eliminate the circles and she didn’t have the budget to paint new circles.
Director of Parks and Recreation, Chris Glen and his sidekick Rob Axiak said they were working up ideas on how the sports fields could be more effectively used – one would have thought that would have been given the attention needed back in early April.
With the warm, Ok hot weather, people will want to be outdoors. The children are no longer in school and while some might be doing a bit of school work – it’s outdoor for most. To do what?
City hall is working furiously to open leash-free dog areas and most City park parking lots by end of day on Friday, May 22, 2020.
Dogs have been waiting for months to be able to do this legally. City expects their owners to adhere to the six foot rule.
Toronto made the move – Burlington is feeling the pressure from the dog owner community – the plea from the city is to encourage everyone to follow public health directions and Provincial orders to physically distance themselves a minimum of six feet to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The bylaw officers have had a very difficult time getting people to keep their dogs on short leashes and to not congregate – they clearly don’t understand dog owners and dog owners clearly don’t take all that well to bylaw.
There was one day last week when a reported seven tickets – with a potential $750 fine – were given out in a single day.
Not hard to figure why the guy in red is out for a walk.
All City-owned leash-free dog areas, parking lots and tennis courts are scheduled to be opened by end of day Friday, May 23 with the exceptions of:
1. The west parking lot at Spencer Smith Park (ongoing construction) 2. LaSalle Park Marina parking lot (ongoing construction) 3. Lowville Park parking lot (continued crowd management)
Residents are encouraged to leave their cars at home when visiting a park. Walk, bike or roll to your neighbourhood park. City Multi-use Sports Fields
Congregating is lovely – just adhere to the six foot rule. Our failure to do that gives the virus opportunities to spread itself every where.
The Province announced today that multi-use sports fields (such as baseball diamonds and soccer fields) can be opened. Families can now enjoy our publicly accessible sports fields (areas not locked and enclosed with fencing) with members of their own household for casual play. Only family members from the same household are able to be within six feet of each other. The City of Burlington will provide further information regarding our sports fields by Friday, May 23.
In the meantime, organized group sports are still not permitted due to Provincial emergency orders. Requirements need to be in place by provincial sport organizations before permitted field use can be re-introduced. The City will work in collaboration with local sport organizations and as the specifics are provided, an implementation plan will be finalized.
Provincial emergency orders remain in effect that limit the number of people in a gathering to five. If sports fields are used for casual purposes they are to be used at resident’s own risk; the City has not maintained or inspected sports fields during the pandemic.
The number of infections in the Region are increasing regularly – that is because the virus is amongst us in the community and being passed from person to person. Don’t be the person that picks it up from someone else – maintain that six foot distance.
By Provincial order, park amenities, including all washrooms and playground equipment remain closed.
City hall has provided more information on the decision to close city hall that was heard at a Standing Committee; that committee recommendation will go to Council on Monday of next week.
“Following the Provincial and public health directives, the City of Burlington is cancelling all City-run summer programs. This includes activities such as summer camps, recreation programs, festivals and events, swimming and skating drop-ins that were originally offered in the Live & Play Guide.
“Organizations and residents are asked to please be patient during this time as we expect it will take 4-6 weeks for staff process these cancellations. Residents who paid for these programs using a credit card will be refunded to that same credit card if possible. All other payment methods will receive a credit to their Recreation accounts. Following the processing of cancellations, cheque refunds will be issued based on specific email requests. Please email liveandplay@burlington.ca for cheque refund requests, and be sure to include your full mailing address.
“As restrictions from the Province and Public Health are lifted, the City will implement a redesigned or modified program where possible.
“Any programs available will be advertised. To be notified of any new programs, visit and subscribe to burlington.ca/play.
Facility Rentals
Not this summer.
“All facility rentals up to and including Sept. 7, 2020, including arenas, pools, community centres, schools, sport fields and picnics are cancelled. Renters who paid by credit card will be refunded to that same credit card if possible. Others will receive a credit on account. A confirmation will be emailed once the rental cancellation has been processed.
“Requests for future booking dates are not being accepted until further notice.
“For questions about facility rentals or rental refund requests please email rentals@burlington.ca.
“For more information and FAQ’s on summer closures, cancellations and refunds visit burlington.ca/coronavirus.
“The City is monitoring the situation closely and will work with local organizations to determine any modified programs as we are able to.
“Any opportunity to re-open facilities or resume programming following health directives including physical distancing or reduced group sizes will be posted to the City’s website and social media.
Probably not this summer either
Parks
While City of Burlington parks were never closed for walk-through traffic, residents can now enjoy a few more activities in their local City of Burlington parks and green spaces with members of their own household including:
• Playing catch, kicking a soccer ball and flying a kite • Sitting on a blanket, grass or lawn chair • Exercising and stretching on a yoga mat, but not in a class • Letting young children run and burn off some energy
“We are asking everyone to remember they have a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
The Mayor explains: “I know this news will be disappointing to our community; however, we need to continue to stay apart for now to protect ourselves and each other. Public health and safety need to continue to come first. I know our City staff are working on alternative programming that can be done virtually, so watch for that news.”
Chris Glenn – Director of Parks and Recreation.
Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation Services tells his side of the story: “Summer programming is our busiest time with some wait lists forming as early as January. Please be patient as we process credits and refunds. These can take time but be assured that everyone who needs a credit or refund will get one. One of our adaptations to the COVID-19 physical distancing is our virtual programming. I encourage everyone to access our free virtual programming which can be found at burlington.ca/activeathome. There are golf tips, cooking lessons, crafts and more.”
Four to six weeks to process a refund for a cancelled programming is a real stretch.
Weekend Indoors: How Burlington Residents Can Create a Stylish Night Out from the Comfort of Home and get caught up on some entertainment and political gossip.
By Claire Nash
April 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Another weekend – during which you will be home-bound.
It doesn’t have to be a grim weekend.The weekend is almost here. It may not yet be time to get out for a walk in a park – but you can get creative and spend home time doing fun things.
Check out these three innovative ideas for creating a night out on the town right at home, so you get the best of all worlds over the weekend.
Think creatively when you set up a bar.
Turn Your Kitchen into a Cocktail Lounge
Hesitant to hit the bar? You can create your own state-of-the-art cocktail lounge right at home. Start by gathering up the essential home bar ingredients, making sure to grab any flavors and mixers you can’t live without. You don’t want to get stuck with a boring combination, so plan your purchases ahead of time to suit your tastes. Likewise, pick up some tried-and-true cocktail snacks to munch on like cornichons, mixed nuts, or candied fruit.
Once you’ve gathered all your necessities, break out your most lavish cocktail glasses to give your drinks some flair. This is important, as it means the difference between creating a cocktail lounge atmosphere and settling for a kitchen counter vibe. After that, simply don your fanciest garb and get to mixing. You’ll have to be your own bartender, but you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your drinks will come exactly the way you like them.
Host a Casino Night on the Couch
Missing the casino? A night at your favorite venue can be a thrilling way to pass the time on the weekend. Of course, you don’t have to head outside to get your game on. Thanks to Canada’s friendly iGaming laws and a plethora of web-based venues, it’s easy and safe to create a casino night right at home. Online casino providers like Unibet offer the full gambit of games and sports betting options to choose from, so you’ll find something to fit your preferences no matter what you like to play.
Create a Movie Theater Cinema at Home
You can’t drive downtown to CineStarz Theater? But you can create a home cinema experience that’s worth staying in for. However, you should keep a few tips in mind to get the optimal experience.
In need of some cinema entertainment? There’s no reason to pay big bucks for the theater when you can have your movie night at home
Make it personal – give your theatre a name.
Set the scene by rearranging your furniture. You can organize everything to have a bit more space around the coffee table for snacks, or you can create classic movie rows for your audience. Either way, make sure the screen is viewable from every seat in the house.
It’s also a great idea to put out some classic cinema treats for your fellow moviegoers to enjoy. Popcorn is a tried-and-true munchie that gets everyone in the mood, but you can go all-out with nachos, extra-large iced sodas, or anything you like. Food is a major aspect of the movie theater experience, so pick your refreshments wisely.
Ready to have the perfect night out indoors? If you’re willing to put in a bit of effort, you’ll be able to create that perfect cocktail lounge, casino, or movie theater experience without leaving the living room. All you need is a bit of imagination, and you’ll be on the road to home-based bliss in no time flat.
Some people worked during the long weekend – the Food Bank crowd certainly did.
Parents looked for interesting things to do with their children who had difficulty understanding and asking “why not?”
Ashley Worobec, part of the Coping with COVID19 and the kids team, reports on how things are working out in her household where two children get their education by computer.
Worobec is a chiropractor at the Burlington Sports and Spine Clinic, and an avid runner; she has competed in a number of major marathons.
As she was getting ready to settle into the long weekend she heard of an Ultra 24-hour endurance test:
Six people ran 8km in our own neighborhoods, every four hours, starting at 7pm Friday night. So that was 7pm, 11pm, 3am, 7am, 11am, and 3pm for a cumulative total of 48km in 24 hours.
Sara MacDonald, Mabel Watt, Lily Rendulic, Katherine Wood, Ashley Worobec and Kathryn Mercanti.
The six – Sara MacDonald, Mabel Watt, Lily Rendulic, Katherine Wood, myself, and Kathryn Mercanti. The women were known locally as “Mums Who Run”. Worobec wasn’t part of the group but an opportunity to get out and run was something she couldn’t resist.
Everyone completed the run. “What an experience!” exclaimed Worobec.
Got a note from my favourite long distance runner – Ashley Worobec. She said:
“I have just gone and done something crazy. I have registered for a “virtual” ultra-marathon that starts at 7pm tonight.
“The way it works is that you must complete 8km running every 4 hours for 24 hours. Myself and a handful of other running friends are taking on this challenge (each in our own neighborhoods to abide by social distancing rules) and we start at 7pm tonight.
Ashley in a training run when the weather was much nicer.
“That means:
7pm- 8km
11pm- 8km
3am- 8km
7am- 8km
11am- 8km
3pm- 8km
“That’s 48km in 24 hours, which is more than I’ve ever run before!
“But at a time like this, a challenge like this seems PERFECT. ”
A 101 year tradition is about to take a hit – the Inter County Baseball League is going to have to basically cancel their season.
Many of the communities that have a ball team have closed their ball parks.
The Barrie Baycats have been the IBL league leader for the past few years
The COVID-19 has had an incredible impact on every aspect of society and sports is no exception and after a century of continuous operation, The IBL and all its teams are resigned to the fact that a traditional IBL season in 2020 is not possible.
Several of the municipalities where The IBL has teams have already stated that those ball parks will be off limits until at least Canada Day.
The IBL is still hopeful that the pandemic is brought under control in the coming months and that some sort of modified IBL season is possible.
The crack of the bat as it meets the ball may not be heard this season.
What that season might look like is pure conjecture at this point. We do know there is no hope for a full season and playoffs like The IBL and its fans have experienced for 101 straight summers. We also know that some teams have already made the tough decision that they will not be playing this year.
All teams, including those that are still holding out hope for some baseball this year, realize that the prospects of a season of any kind seems unlikely and would only move forward with the full blessing of the province, medical officers of health and our municipalities. We realize a lot of good things would have to happen for us to have some baseball this year including the absolute safety of our players, umpires, volunteers and fans.
This is consistent with Baseball Ontario’s current direction and hope for a season in 2020.
At this point, The IBL can say in confidence that we will not have baseball of any kind before July 1; that the majority of teams, while realizing IBL baseball this summer may seem unlikely, are hopeful of playing a modified season; and that some teams have already resigned themselves that they will not operate in 2020.
Finally, to our fans, players, umpires, sponsors, volunteers and all the people past and present who have a relationship with The IBL – stay in, stay healthy, stay safe and hopefully, we see you all at the ball park as soon as this is over and it is safe to do so.
Earlier today, the City of Burlington activated its Crisis Management Team (CMT) to coordinate City efforts to protect public and staff from the spread of COVID-19, while maintaining essential City services to the community.
To aid efforts in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community, the City of Burlington has made the decision to close all City recreation facilities for a minimum of three weeks, as of this evening.
With the recreation facility closures, the following services will be suspended: March Break programming, arenas, pools and community centres, including the Seniors Centre.
All City organized large public meetings and gatherings are also cancelled, with the exception of Committee and Council meetings at City Hall.
The CMT will be reviewing internal City meeting guidelines and issuing an update on Monday, March 16. City Hall will remain open for business with enhanced health and safety protocols for staff.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said: “In light of the current situation with COVID-19 and the rapidly changing updates from healthcare professionals and our partners across all levels of government, I certainly understand and share the concerns of residents related to attending programs and events at City facilities.
“We are evaluating things daily — and sometimes multiple times during the day — and will always put residents’ health and safety first. The decision to close City recreation facilities for next three weeks and cancel programs including March Break, does not come lightly, but in meeting with our Crisis Management Team, we feel it is a necessary one. Please continue to look after your health, follow the advice of healthcare professionals and support one another. Let’s always be our best through these trying times.”
Tim Commisso, City Manager
Tim Commisso, City Manager added: “At the City of Burlington, we understand the decision to close recreational facilities will have a significant impact on individuals, families and communities.
“We are also very aware that this needs to be done as a precaution to help keep people in Burlington stay safe and aid in containing the spread of COVID-19. We continue to work closely with Halton Region Public Health and make our decisions based on the latest scientific evidence on COVID-19. We thank our residents for their understanding as we continue to address this challenge together. We will continue to share City updates daily with the public.”
Starts in front of City Hall on Brant Street at 10:05 am and travels
Waiting at the finish line.
north to Baldwin,
west on Baldwin,
south on Hurd,
east on Blenheim,
south on Locust,
east on Elgin,
south on Brant,
They come by the thousands; numbered bibs show the count.
west on Lakeshore,
turnaround at Maple,
east on Lakeshore to Burloak,
north on Burloak,
turnaround at Spruce,
west on Lakeshore,
North on Brant to Finish.
Crossing the finish line.
Bus route detours in effect
Burlington TransitRoutes 2, 3, 4, and 10
HSR 11 downtown
Oakville 14A along Burloak Drive
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Road Closures
6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brant Street from Maria Street to Elgin Street
Ontario Street from Brant Street to Locust Street, and James Street from John Street to Brant Street.
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Lakeshore Road from Brant Street to Maple Avenue.
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Brant Street, Lakeshore Road to Elgin Street – access to Bunton’s Wharf via Locust Street.
9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lakeshore Road from Brant Street to Burloak Drive. Burloak Drive from Lakeshore Road to Spruce Avenue for turnaround – access to Old Lakeshore Road from the west maintained with delays.
9:55 to 10:45 a.m.
The streets along the route west of Brant Street will experience intermittent road closures.
Resident Access
Residents on Lakeshore Road or on side streets impacted by the road closure have the following options:
Residents on the north side of Lakeshore Road are able to use the westbound lane, but expect delays.
Residents on the south side of Lakeshore Road will have restricted access and are encouraged to make alternate arrangements.
If your residence is within the road closure and you have to access your vehicle during the race, please park on side streets north of Lakeshore Road.
In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Supervision
Police will be at major intersections and traffic islands. Event marshals will be available at minor intersections and major multi-resident driveways to inform
drivers of event details and road closures. Race notices were delivered to all residents, religious centres and businesses along the race route.
There was some really good snow which helped make the December, January and February, 30/60 Winter Play Challenge the success the city believes it was
Residents were challenged to participate in the 30/60 Winter Play Challenge where individuals, families or groups had to complete 30 activities in 60 days. The team that completed the most activities and had the most points won a grand prize.
The challenge encouraged the community to get outside and play.
That is an impressive snow fort – word on who the family is or what part of the city they are located in. Kudos to them for participating.
There were 101 activities that teams could complete. Activities included things like building a snowman, hiking, making an indoor fort and making a meal together. One team completed all 101 activities. In total 34, teams of 2-6 members participated.
One of the activities was “write City Hall”. One family took them up on it.
“Firstly, we would love to thank you for the opportunity to enjoy such a fun game. We are truly blessed to live in such a great city.”
“I love the variety of things that I’ve done during this challenge that never would have occurred to me to do! I also really love that it kept me thinking “what can I do today” every day which really helps to stay active in the winter months.”
That looks like a conga line – before the heavy snow hit the ground.
“You have also inspired us to explore further! We got a map of Burlington which shares all the parks and our goal for 2020 is to visit and explore each one at least once!”
Terry Milewski, Supervisor of Marketing and Sponsorship said: “This was our first year running this program in the winter and we are overwhelmed with the success of it. We even had to add more activities because the participants loved it so much, they breezed through all 30 original activities. We’re so happy people found this such a worthwhile and fun event. We are looking forward to starting up another challenge this summer.”
Overwhelmed with just 34 teams is a bit of a stretch but it is a good start and certainly worth building upon.
Soccer, tennis, football and baseball are sports that have a following. Hockey has stood the test of time.
Soccer has been a favourite across the globe, with cricket, football, tennis and basketball also achieving international fame. The interesting part about hockey is that while there are just a few countries that play the sport, yet its fandom is universal.
Fans go wild when their team scores.
As a sport, hockey has everything going for it. The action inside the rink is fast, confined, and thrilling. The teams and the players have a celebrity-like persona that results in fans worshiping them.
Hockey is a regular in the betting world, giving it a stamp of approval that makes it an international sport worth watching. The collection of great NHL moments shown below is something you will want to watch again and again.
Year-Round Activity
One of the main reasons for NHL being a highly bet-worthy event is its year-round activity. There are competitions, such as the tennis Grand Slam Wimbledon, that take place for a few days every year and gather up quite a following. However, when it comes to lucrative sports betting, it is always nice to invest in something that goes on for a long time. In the case of the NHL there is the regular season followed by intensely played play-off series.
Even during the off-season, there are opportunities to bet on player transfers and trades. With so much activity going on, there is something or the other for punters to wager on when it comes to the NHL.
Excellent Coverage
It’s one thing to have year-long happenings, but a completely different one when it comes to coverage of a sport by bookmakers. When it comes to the NHL, all the leading bookmakers are onboard. Bookies tend to cover each and every game of the season with equal enthusiasm. Moreover,sites such as Canada Sports Betting feature the latest NHL oddsfrom the most prominent online bookies along with tips and predictions to help punters decide on the best bets. The kind of coverage given to the sport makes it easy even for first-time bettors to make money from the NHL, especially when you count in the welcome bonuses that bookies give to their new customers.
Massive following
Sports has always been about getting people together and having a passionate and fun time. NHL does precisely that, with everyone from kids to the elderly following their favourite teams throughout the season. Since there is such mass following, it makes betting on NHL games a lot more exciting. Adults wanting to wager on games can discuss and debate players and team statistics with friends and family, and make sports betting a fun affair with rewards that everyone can enjoy.
The storied Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
In the end, the cherry on top of the NHL cake is the Stanley Cup. Whether you look at it from a betting point of view or just as a fan, the euphoria of an entire season culminates into one massive event that has everyone excited. Not only does this further adds to the sporting allure of the NHL, but also ends everything with a bang, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the start of the next season.
One of Burlington’s finest, a young hockey player who came out of the Eagles, went on to play for Guelph in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and is now minding the nets for the World Junior Hockey tournament being played in Czechoslovakia.
Those pads were made for Daws and this World Junior Hockey Tournament.
In the game against the United States during the preliminary round Nico Daws was brilliant – Canada took that game 6-4. The team plays Russia later today.
Daws says he is up to the challenge before him.
Burlington-native Nico Daws had never participated in a single Hockey Canada practice before getting the call to this year’s world junior team. After being passed over at the 2019 NHL entry draft, Daws went on to post outstanding numbers (.939 sv% in 20GP) this season for the Guelph Storm in the OHL.
Daws finished his pre-tournament by stopping every shot he faced in 30 minutes of play time against Finland on Monday and may have stolen the starting role for Canada at this year’s tournament.
Daws turned 19 during the pre-tournament practices – his parents are with him in Czechoslovakia.
Daws didn’t let this one get away from him during a practice game.
The Team Canada coaches have nothing but praise for Daws – who sounds more than up to the challenge he faces.
Team Canada has won the world Juniors 17 times however the game has changed and the Canadians have to change with it.
The stunning sixth place finish last year is something these young Canadians don’t want to see repeated.
We could be looking at another great one, this one minding the nets for Canada in Czechoslovakia.
By Staff
In Canada, on the other hand, there is no need to overcome these limitations. 
