The Ontario government has given orders to move into the third stage of the Roadmap to Reopening on Friday, July 16, at 12:01 am as key public health and health care indicators continue to improve, and the province-wide vaccination rates surpass targets.

“We are pleased to be reopening more City services and amenities to the public and earlier than anticipated under Step Three of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen Plan,” said Norm Gale, City Manager. “We are making all final arrangements for these reopenings and do so with safety in mind.”

Public health and workplace safety measures will continue to apply in Step Three. All reopened City facilities will follow strict health and safety guidelines including, but not limited to: COVID-19 screening and contact tracing, capacity limits, physical distancing, mask requirements where applicable, and cleaning and disinfecting practices.

City Amenities Opening in Step Three

City Arenas

  • Current River Arena (summer ice) reopens July 19
  • Port Arthur Arena reopens Sept. 11
  • Neebing, Grandview, Delaney Arenas reopen Sept. 26
  • The Fort William Gardens remains closed for facility improvements until early October
  • For ice bookings, contact the Facility Booking Coordinator at 252-9628

City-Run Community Centres

  • Vale and Jumbo Gardens Community Centres reopen July 16
  • West Arthur Community Centre reopens early September

Aquatics Facilities

  • Volunteer Pool reopens July 19, with limited hours (6 am – 11 am, Monday – Friday), for limited activities which include lengths, lessons, and lifeguard/instructor programs
  • The Canada Games Complex reopens July 26, with limited hours (5 pm – 9 pm, Monday – Friday), for limited activities which include lengths, lessons, and limited gym/fitness
  • Churchill Pool remains closed for maintenance until early November

Youth Inclusion Program

  • In-person registered programs to resume in August

Older Adults Centres

  • Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre reopens Aug. 3. Amenities include the River Street Café, billiard room (pre-booking required), and library (hours: 10 am – 3 pm, Tuesday – Friday,)
  • Seniors programs at the 55 Plus Centre and West Arthur Community Centre to resume Sept. 13. Program registration begins Aug. 11, book online or by phone

Conservatory

  • The Centennial Botanical Conservatory reopens July 21, 10 am – 4 pm, seven days a week
  • No indoor event bookings at this time

Cemeteries

  • Restrictions on outdoor cemetery gatherings have been lifted while physical distancing of 2 metres is still required
  • Office visits remain available by appointment only 

Victoriaville Centre and McKellar Mall

  • The Victoriaville Centre and McKellar Mall will be expanding public access to the mall through all public entrance doorways
  • Access to the mall will continue to be available 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Saturday
  • Eat-in dinning will be available within the food court while respecting physical distancing

Pioneer Ridge

  • Pioneer Ridge, along with all Long-term Care Homes in the province, will be implementing recent directives related to reopening effective July 16
  • Ontario will be removing the requirement that fully-immunized and asymptomatic staff, caregivers, and visitors be tested before entering long-term care homes. Pioneer Ridge is working on a plan to address this change along with others that reduce the restrictions on resident outings and allow recreational activities such as singing and dancing to resume. As these changes are implemented the safety of residents and staff remain a priority
  • The Pioneer Ridge team shares in the delight of these reopening steps and thanks all those involved for their cooperation and patience
  • For information on Pioneer Ridge call 684-3917 or 684-3922, and for information on Jasper Place call 684-2990

City Amenities Currently Open in Step Two

The following City amenities are currently available in Step Two and will remain available in Step Three:

  • Marina and boat launches
  • Golf courses and the Chapples outdoor patio
  • Fort William Stadium
  • Skate parks
  • Sports fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and Tennis Centre
  • Playgrounds
  • Dog parks
  • Trowbridge and Chippewa campgrounds
  • Outdoor fitness at select community centres
  • Outdoor pools, beaches and splash pads
  • Summer camps and playgrounds program

More Information

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Contact: Jodi Wright, Acting Supervisor – Corporate Communications, 633-1218