Updates to Recreation Services in Kingston due to COVID-19

Published on: 2020/04/30 - in Releases

RELEASE — The City of Kingston and community partners are beginning to explore options for how municipal special events can be held in alternate formats that do not encourage large gatherings.

With recreation facilities closed until further notice under provincial direction, the City is cancelling the Victoria Day celebrations and fireworks scheduled for May 18. More information about the possibility of a virtual Canada Day will be shared in the weeks to come. Virtual events are an evolving trend and staff will look to best practices and techniques used by other events and municipalities.

Staff continue to communicate with permit holders and special event organizers regarding the impact of facility closures on public events and gatherings for the spring and summer season. This allows organizations to develop cancellation or contingency plans and communicate with their participants and vendors.

Municipal marinas

Preliminary seasonal work is underway at Confederation Basin and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour marinas, utilizing full-time staff from other closed recreation facilities. Members of the public may notice City staff working along the waterfront. This work is maintenance in nature, but also typically takes several weeks to complete and therefore helps to prepare for the potential of re-opening of the marinas to boaters should provincial emergency orders be amended to permit the operation of boat launches or marinas, subject to measures put in place in coordination with local public health. Safety precautions, including physical distancing, will be in place during all maintenance work.

Decisions regarding special events and opening of marinas will be made in consultation with KFL&A Public Health and will adhere to Ontario’s Framework for Reopening and provincial emergency orders.

Stay up-to-date with the City’s COVID-19 changes. Find answers to your COVID-19 questions from KFL&A Public Health.


Photo: Google
Release: City of Kingston