The Recreation & Culture Department has been offering various levels of programming which have been in line with the fluctuating provincial restrictions since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. On November 30, 2020, Windsor-Essex was placed in the red zone of restrictions. At that time, the decision was made to close all indoor recreation and culture facilities as a precautionary method and to help slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result, all programming and rentals were cancelled and users were informed of the changes. The exception to those closures is that the After School Programming is still being run during red zone restrictions. After School Programs are currently happening at:

These facilities remain closed outside of the After School Program hours.

Discussion:

The City of Windsor and surrounding Windsor – Essex Region is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases, similar to the surge happening throughout the province of Ontario. Today, the province is reporting just under 1,900 new cases in the past 24 hours while here in Windsor-Essex, the region is reporting 443 new cases in the past six days (since December 4). This includes a record setting 127 new cases today (December 9). A number of Long Term Care Homes, schools and local businesses are currently experiencing outbreaks. Additionally, local hospitalization numbers due to COVID-19 are climbing.

The Senior Leadership Team within the Parks, Recreation, Culture and Corporate Facilities Division has discussed options for helping to slow the spread of COVID-19. Suggestions for alterations to services are noted below.

Indoor Recreation Facilities

As noted in the Background section of this report, indoor recreation facilities are closed except for those that are housing After School Programming. These closures are in place for a minimum of two weeks or until December 14 th unless directed otherwise. Should grey zone restrictions be in place, these facilities would remain closed until restrictions change.

Should the region stay in the red zone, Administration is still recommending that all indoor recreation centres remain closed until Friday January 15, 2021. Administration is recommending that the reopening be delayed to allow time to pass following the Christmas and New Year holidays. The delay would allow a 14-day window from the January 1 New Year’s Day holiday, which typically sees larger private gatherings. The closure during this period is intended to help stop the spread of COVID-19, which is anticipated to increase due to gatherings over the holidays. Limited programming would