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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2020
Information Bulletin No. 12: COVID-19
Wasaga Beach – Premier Doug Ford has clarified the rules regarding access to
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.
Mayor Bifolchi wrote Premier Ford earlier this week and shared the community’s
growing frustration about conflicting information from the province in relation to the
provincial park reopening on May 15.
Premier Ford responded to Mayor Bifolchi in an e-mail Thursday night, thanking her for
raising the matter on behalf of the community.
“When Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is opened on May 15, ministry officers will be
present in provincial parks to provide information, assist with emergencies and enforce
provincial park rules and regulations,” Premier Ford said. “During this time, Wasaga
Beach Provincial Park’s beach will remain closed in order to reduce chances for groups
of people to gather or unintentionally interact. While the beach will remain closed,
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has a number of trails in the interior of the park that will
be available for public use on May 15.”
Mayor Bifolchi thanks Premier Ford for providing clear information to the community.
“Premier Ford and his government have shown tremendous leadership throughout this
pandemic,” Mayor Bifolchi said. “I thank the premier for his quick and concise response.
The town continues to support the province, the federal government, and local health
authorities with all of their pandemic-related messaging.”
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
For more information about Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, see the park website.
To contact the park call 705-429-2516 or find additional contact information online.
Ontario Provincial Police
To contact the OPP during the long weekend please use 9-1-1 for emergencies. For
non-emergencies telephone 1-888-310-1122. You can also report minor occurrences
Wasaga Beach Municipal Law Enforcement
Leading up to the long weekend, the Municipal Law Enforcement Department is
announcing its new summer hours. Regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The
public can reach a department representative by calling 705-429-2511 at any time of
day. Officers are patrolling Sunday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Friday and
Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. On long weekends Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to
3:30 a.m.
Victoria Day weekend reminders
➢ Please stay home as much as possible.
➢ Please observe physical distancing of six feet when you are in public.
➢ Town parks remain closed but you can walk through.
➢ Town trails are open.
➢ We encourage our seasonal residents to remain at home. If you are heading to
the cottage, please go directly there and limit your travel as much as possible.
Please purchase provisions in your home community. See the local health unit’s
official direction for more details.
➢ We remind residents to support our business community by shopping locally.
Next steps
The town is preparing to launch its COVID-19 recovery task force, which will consult
with the community on steps the municipality can take to support residents, businesses,
and organizations.
Staff are working on initiatives to support the task force. This work began during the
early days of the pandemic. Council, at its May 21 meeting, will consider formally
approving the task force. The town will provide an update on this initiative later next
week.
Health information resources:
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Ontario Ministry of Health
Town of Wasaga Beach
Facilities – updated May 8, 2020
Facility
Action
Arena
Closed – all programs and rentals
cancelled
RecPlex/YMCA
Closed – all programs and rentals
cancelled
Youth Centre/Seniors Active Living
Centre
Closed – all programs and rentals
cancelled. Some virtual programs on
Facebook.
Town Hall
Closed to the public – but staff onsite
and working during regular business
hours. Monday to Friday – 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.
Library
Closed – all rentals cancelled. Some
programs offered on-line.
Public Works
Closed to the public – but staff onsite
and working during regular business
hours.
Transit
Operational – Free service, until
further notice
Fire Halls
Closed to the public – but staff onsite
and working during regular business
hours. 9-1-1 services operational.
Parks and Trails
Parks closed except for walk-through
access. Playground equipment is off
limits. Municipal trails are open.
Community Garden
Open
-30-