What’s in store for Centre Wellington as province begins reopening?

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Outdoor gatherings, non-essential retail, day camps and more can once again be enjoyed, in limited capacity here as the province moves to the first step of reopening.

“Thanks to the province’s vaccination roll-out and our continued improvements in key public health and health system indicators, we are able to enter Step One … three days earlier than expected,” said Mayor Kelly Linton in a press release.

“This is extremely exciting news for our residents and businesses in Centre Wellington.

“Please continue to shop and eat local, and enjoy our amenities while following public health guidelines. Our community deserves this positive step after strictly following public health guidelines throughout the pandemic.”

Step one reopening plans are focused on low-risk outdoor activities with small crowds and limited indoor settings.

In Centre Wellington the following will be permitted beginning June 11:

  • outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training with up to 10 people. A permit is required to offer outdoor programs on township property.
  • modified in-person day camps for children six to 12 years of age.  Camps will take place at the Elora Community Centre, with the exception of one week at the CW Community Sportsplex. Visit centrewellington.ca/daycamps to register.
  • the Elora Fergus Tourism Information Centre will open on June 12 and ongoing hours of operation in June will be Monday to Friday from 11am to 4pm and weekends from 10am to 5pm.
  • public washrooms at the tourism centre as well as outdoor washrooms at Bissell Park, Elora Community Centre, Forfar Park and the Fergus Weigh Scale building will be open daily from 9am to 8pm beginning June 12.  Washrooms at the Southridge, O’Brien Park and Victoria Park Fergus will open at a later date.
  • sports fields will reopen for training only with up to a maximum of 10 people with three metres physical distancing.  Contact staff to reserve a field.
  • outdoor water bottle filling stations will reopen at a later date.
  • splash pads at Millburn Park in Fergus and the new Nora Carlaw pad at O’Brien Park are open with a 10-person limit.

Parking and road closures

Three-hour timed parking has been implemented in downtown Elora and Fergus and ParkSmart-Alpha has been retained for enforcement. Maps of the affected streets can be found at www.connectcw.ca.

As well, a portion of the roads in downtown Elora will be closed every Saturday and Sunday from June 12 October 31, from 9am on Saturdays to 8pm on Sundays. The affected streets are West Mill Street to Price Street and Metcalfe Street from West Mill Street to Geddes Street.

In Fergus, Provost Lane between St. Andrew Street and St. Patrick Street will be closed from June 11 until October 31 and equipped with outdoor tables and chairs for a safe outdoor dining experience.

Any changes in operations will posted to www.centrewellington.ca/emergencyplanning and on the township’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.