Crossing Guard update for two school zones

Update September 21, 2025:

Two school zones will be temporarily unstaffed by crossing guards until October 7, 2025:

• Brant Street and Laclie Street intersection
• Forest Avenue South and Highway 12

Signage will be posted at the affected crossings to advise pedestrians that a crossing guard is not on duty. 

We encourage all families to remind children when crossing at locations without crossing guards:

•  Always press the pedestrian “walk” button at traffic-light controlled crossings. At some crossings, you must press the walk button to get a walk signal.  Doing so will give you more time to cross.
• At four-way stops, signal your intention to cross by moving to the edge of the roadway and making eye contact with the driver of approaching vehicles to ensure they see you.
• Always look left, look right, then look left again before stepping off the curb.
• Avoid crossing at mid-block locations when the crossing guard is not present. Instead, cross at the nearest corner that is controlled by traffic lights and/or stop signs. 

Are you or someone you know interesting in becoming a crossing guard? 

Please visit our website to apply for a contract crossing guard position.     

We appreciate your patience as we work toward providing full crossing guard coverage as soon as possible. 

Update September 14, 2025:

The Brant Street and Laclie Street intersection remains temporarily unstaffed.

The West Street North and Orchard Park intersection will also be temporarily unstaffed.

We appreciate your patience as we work toward providing full crossing guard coverage as soon as possible.

Update September 7, 2025:

The Coldwater Road and Patrick Street intersection is now staffed with a crossing guard starting Monday September 8th.

The Brant Street and Laclie Street intersection remains unstaffed until crossing guards can complete their training.

We appreciate everyone's patience as we work toward completing staff training as soon as possible.

 Update September 2, 2025:

Two crosswalks temporarily unstaffed:

Two intersections located near elementary schools will be temporarily unstaffed by crossing guards as newly appointed City of Orillia crossing guards complete their training to ensure the safety of student travelling to and from school in these areas. The following intersections are affected until further notice:

•  Brant Street and Laclie Street
• Coldwater Road and Patrick Street

 Signage will be posted at the affected crosswalks to advise pedestrians that a crossing guard is not on duty.

We encourage all families to remind children when crossing at these locations:

•  Always press the pedestrian “walk” button at traffic-light controlled crossings. At some crossings, you will not get a walk signal unless you press the button and doing so will give you more time to cross.
• At four-way stops, signal your intention to cross by moving to the edge of the roadway and making eye contact with the driver of approaching vehicles to ensure they see you.
• Always look left, look right, then look left again before stepping off the curb.
• Avoid crossing at mid-block locations when the crossing guard is not present. Instead, cross at the nearest corner that is controlled by traffic lights and/or stop signs. 

Crossing guards provide an important service for families in Orillia: 

• The City of Orillia employs 14 school crossing guards to cover 14 school crossing zones across the City.
• Crossing guards work two hours per school day from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., except at Atlantis Drive and Bass Lake Side Road where the guard works from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• The legal speed limit in school zones is 40 km/hr. when signs are flashing, unless otherwise posted, such as in areas where speed cameras are installed (automated speed enforcement). 

Automated Speed Enforcement:

The City’s automated speed enforcement program is aimed at reducing speeding around schools. The legal speed limit in three Community Safety Zones has been permanently reduced to 40km per hour, seven days per week, 24 hours per day, and speed cameras are active in these locations: 

• Fittons Road West 
• Park Street 
• Westmount Drive South 

 Thank you for your patience as we work to provide full crossing guard coverage as soon as possible.

Contact:

Liz Gould
School Crossing Guard Supervisor
705-325-6275
lgould@orillia.ca