City of Cambridge moves to Step 2: Update on City Services and outdoor facilities

Posted on Thursday July 08, 2021

Cambridge, Ontario – Today, the Region of Waterloo announced it will move into Step Two of the Province of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen effective Monday, July 12, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.

“This is welcome news as we work toward fully reopening. I know it has been a long road with many, many difficult steps along the way. This community is resilient and we’re well positioned for recovery,” said Mayor Kathryn McGarry. “Please support local and continue to show up for our neighbours, while following public health advice. City staff have pivoted many times in an effort to support the many service areas affected by COVID and we too are looking forward to this next step.”

For Cambridge, this includes the following service updates:

Parks

  • Outdoor gatherings will increase to a capacity of 25 people.
  • Outdoor fitness requires 3m physical distancing.
  • Picnic areas are open on a first come, first served basis (maximum allowable seating of 6 per table) and no more than 25 people.
  • Locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses will remain closed.

Sports Fields

  • Game and league play is permitted with no cap on the number of participants.
  • Teams from other Regions are permitted to play in Waterloo Region.
  • Groups are reminded to continue to follow the Return to Action/Play guidelines as established by their sports governing body.
  • Locker rooms, chagerooms, showers and clubhouses will remain closed.
  • Parents/spectators are reminded to maintain physical distancing.

Restaurants/Patios

  • Outdoor dining will be permitted with up to 6 people per table with the exception of large households.
  • Previously the city announced, beginning June 14, portions of Queen Street East in Hespeler and Main Street in Galt closed to vehicular traffic to support local businesses and encourage a safe pedestrian atmosphere this summer.
  • Queen Street East, between Guelph Avenue and Tannery Street, in Hespeler will be closed:
    • Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 11 p.m., starting June 14 until October 9.
  • Main Street in Galt will be closed to vehicles seven days a week from June 14 until October 1.

Pools

  • As of June 11, the City's three outdoor pools (George Hancock, Ed Newland and Kinsmen Soper Park Pool) opened with the following regulations:
    • Splash and Leisure Swims, capacity is restricted to 25%. 
    • Specialty swims have reduced capacity as required to maintain 3m physical distancing based on current regulations: one swimmer per lane in our Lane Swims and a maximum of 10 participants for water exercises classes. 
    • Aquacombo held at Soper Park Pool will now have a capacity of 12 participants.
    • Leadership classes will move to a 16 max participant capacity.
  • Residents are reminded to wear a mask while waiting in line to enter the pool. For more information regarding pre-registering and pre-screening for swims and what to expect at our pools this summer.

Recreation & Culture

  • Outdoor fitness classes are capped at the number of people who can maintain physical distancing.
  • Day camps, youth and senior programming began at community centres in July.
  • The Old Post Office Digital Light Projection Show will resume beginning July 15.
  • Indoor recreation facilities remain closed and are scheduled to reopen in Step Three.
  • Check before you rec and be sure to visit our COVID-19 Recreation Safety page for safety protocols and our #RecFromHome page for ways to stay engaged and active from home.                                       

Facilities

  • Indoor wedding ceremonies, funerals and ceremonies at 25% of room capacity.
  • Outdoor weddings, funerals and ceremonies with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres.
  • Outdoor funeral services at cemeteries are permitted with up to 75 people graveside.
  • Outdoor receptions are permitted at 25 per cent capacity in meeting or event spaces and up to 25 people for all other social gatherings. Indoor receptions are not permitted at city-owned facilities.

Retail

  • Essential retail stores now operating at 50% capacity and can sell all products.
  • Non-essential retail stores will re-open at 25% capacity and can sell all products.
  • Retail stores in the Cambridge Centre mall now open.
  • Cambridge Farmers’ Market will continue to operate with capacity limited to 32 shoppers indoors and between 100 and 120 shoppers outdoors.

Service Cambridge

On June 14, Service Cambridge, found on the first floor at City Hall, opened for counter services. We encourage residents to continue to conduct as much municipal-related business as possible online or by phone.

Service Cambridge staff are available to answer service-related questions through our web portal, by phone at (519) 623-1340 or email servicecambridge@cambridge.ca. For a list of online services, please visit www.cambridge.ca/covid19.

 

Read the Region of Waterloo’s joint release. For information on vaccinations including clinic locations on where to #getyourshot, please visit the Region of Waterloo. 

For more information on Step Two of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen Plan.

Please continue to follow Public Health guidelines and the vaccination program as we make progress towards Step Three.

For updates on COVID-19 guidelines in Cambridge.

 

 

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Primary Media Contact:
Susanne Hiller
Director, Corporate Communications
City of Cambridge
hillers@cambridge.ca