COVID19 Community Forum

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Please note that BBQ's and cooking devices are not permitted at Sunset Point Park for the remainder of 2020. This ban includes the park, parking areas, and adjacent streets. Enforcement Officers will be monitoring Sunset Point Park and will issue fines of $150 for any use of BBQ's and cooking devices. When enjoying Collingwood Parks, please exercise 2 metre Physical Distancing and limit your Social Circle to 10 people. Signage will be in place. Thank you for your understanding and thank you for following health and safety measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

For more information visit our News & Notice page

Thank you for the question.

The Ontario Ministry of Public Health has put together a a set of COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart as a guideline for the safe reopening of the health sector. 

For details on how these changes affect your next visit please contact your practitioner for information.  

Thank you for your question!

Staff are monitoring the impact the use of outdoor cooking appliances and barbeques have in Town Parks, such as Sunset Point, and may consider this as an option in the future as the Park evolves. However, at this time Staff are not exploring the option of banning outdoor cooking appliances or barbeques but are aware of the concerns  surrounding the issue. The current focus for the Town is to manage priority challenges that have been exasperated during the COVID-19 pandemic such as capacity levels and parking restrictions.

Thank you for contacting the Town with your feedback. It is important to know the Town is doing our best manage all of these issues while listening to input such from residents and trying to respond with constructive information.

Paid parking has been evaluated at Sunset Point for a few years as the population of park users has grown. Unlike most waterfront parks, the Sunset Point neighborhood is intertwined with the community park. This means that all three accesses to the park are actually neighborhood streets which were designed initially around the idea of a campground, that later became a cottage area, which later became a small subdivision of the community – meaning they are also quite narrow. Changes to the Sunset Point Park parking will have implications for the Sunset Point neighbours. In an effort to avoid the parking issue moving from one location to another below are steps the Town is taking:

1. Formalize the parking as much as possible. The Town has begun to implement parking changes throughout last year - making these changes permanent this year. Some examples include, the “Resident Only” Parking lot and restricting parking along neighbouring side streets.
2. Develop an amendment to the parking bylaw.  Currently the Town is exploring several options to address parking challenges present throughout our community. As our community continues to evolve and adapt to our changing lifestyles, so to do our municipal bylaws and policies. Items for future consideration include reverse angle parking along Hurontario Street as well as boulevard parking restrictions. Both of these items will require their own comprehensive staff reports. Through the 2021 budget discussions, Staff are recommending completing a comprehensive parking study. These two items will be included within the proposed parking study to ensure Council has a wholesome understanding of the benefits and impacts. The adjusted bylaw will be heard by the Development & Operations Standing Committee on Monday July 13, 2020.
3. The application of paid parking - should Council give that direction. Staff are currently implementing updated parking software that will allow a pay by phone option to enhance paid parking within the downtown Business Improvement Area and throughout the Town. This project will enable the Town to consider charging for parking in areas outside of the Downtown. Staff need to review the options for providing free parking to community residents.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Collingwood has been working closely with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) to ensure safe practices which include physical distancing, limiting group sizes and guidance on wearing masks.  This afternoon, the SMDHU posted a news release that as of Monday July 13, 2020, the public is required to wear a face covering when entering indoor premises of businesses, organizations and on public transit systems in Simcoe Muskoka. 

Please find full details regarding the news release here:  https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/health-unit-issues-orders-mandatory-masks-in-simcoe-and-muskoka-2546243.

Thank-you for contacting us with your comments and your concern for our community. 

While our Town’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, this also brings challenges such as the concerns residents have regarding high traffic visitor locations reaching capacity. Please be advised, this item is currently on the minds of senior administrative staff members. With no Provincial ban on movement within the Province the Town has no ability to restrict visitors. 

Council is following the lead of the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit and recommending everyone wears a mask when out in public spaces where social distancing of 2 metres may not be followed. The Town is partnering with the CGMH on a public awareness campaign to promote wearing a mask in public. The Town of Collingwood is part of a region wide campaign with Wasaga Beach, Clearview, TBM, Meaford and the South Georgian Bay Tourism Association to promote the Personal Responsibility Code.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit recommends the following for those visiting cottages or day trippers:

• Practice physical distancing to reduce exposure to other people — this means staying at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from anyone outside your household. 
• Social gatherings and public events of up to 10 people (including members of your household) are allowed, while maintaining physical distance. See Stop the Spread section above for more detailed information on how to safely socialize. 
• Wear a non-medical mask or face covering when physical distancing is not possible.
• Stay at your cottage as much as possible.
• If you are coming from a region of high COVID transmission (e.g. GTA) purchase food, supplies and medications in your own community before arriving at your cottage and limit visits to the local community for essential shopping only.
• Practice proper and frequent handwashing and cough hygiene, and self-isolate if you develop symptoms

We are all in this together and we appreciate the tremendous effort our residents have put in to help flatten the curve.

Thank you for your comments and your concerns for the well-being of the community.

As the Province begins to slowly reopen and the warmer weather returns it is encouraged to get outside and enjoy physical activity.  

By-law Enforcement and the Town of Collingwood are aware of larger groups gathering in Town parks. By-law Enforcement, along with the OPP, patrol public spaces for larger social gatherings and educate groups on Provincial Emergency Orders. 

By-law patrol 7 days a week from 8:30am - 7pm and often later into the evening as required. 

If you witness large social gathering please call By-law Enforcement to report at 705-445-1030 ext. 3256

Thank you for your question!

The Centennial Aquatic Centre has been busy completing maintenance tasks that typically would take place during the regular scheduled maintenance closure in September. Currently, the last remaining projects are projected to be completed by September 1st. 

We appreciate the public patience as we work hard towards opening when it is safe to do so. 

For questions regarding Parks, Recreation and Culture contact Customer Service at prc@collingwood.ca or 705-445-2500

Hello, 

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your forthcoming wedding!

Here are a few things you need to know if you are planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Outdoor wedding ceremonies are limited up to 50 people as long as physical distancing can be maintained at all times. (Source)
• Indoor wedding venues can have up to 30% capacity for the venue. 
• Wedding receptions are considering social gatherings and are limited to 10 people and must continue to physical distance outside of your household.

If you require a tent for your event in the Town of Collingwood please note that any tent larger than 60 m2 (654 sqft) will require a Tent Permit from the Building Department. To find out more information on Tent Permits check our website HERE

If you will be serving food or bar services at your event please note all regulated guidelines must be followed.  

With the Province entering Stage 2 of the Framework for Re-opening, social gatherings have been expanded to 10 people, as long as physical distancing requirements are still met. 

• Social Gatherings -Guidance on social gatherings and public events has changed and now allows social gatherings of up to 10 people (including members of your household). 
• Do not gather if you have COVID-19, are unwell, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. 
• Always maintain a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) while socializing (with no more than 10 people) who are not part of your household or social circle (see below for more information on social circles). 
• Outdoor gatherings continue to provide the safest means of socializing.
• If you participate in activities like having an outdoor BBQ, reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by:
  • Sticking to the gathering size limit of 10 people. 
  • Setting out physical distancing guidelines before guests arrive (i.e. plan the seating arrangements ahead of time to ensure there is an appropriate amount of space between guests). 
  • Asking guests to bring their own supplies including cutlery, glassware, food and drinks. 
  • Not sharing food or drinks with others.
  • Providing disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer for guests to use when entering the home or outdoor area. 
  • Putting out individual towelettes so that everyone uses their own personal piece of paper towel to dry their hands after they've washed them.

For more information please check the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit guide to Social Gatherings and Social Circles