UPDATE: July 16, 2021 Orillia working towards reopening of facilities as part of Step 3

In light of the Province’s announcement to move into Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen on July 16, the City of Orillia is working towards the reopening of select City facilities and amenities with COVID-19 health and safety measures in place. 

“It’s very encouraging that we are moving into Step 3 of the Province’s reopening plan sooner than initially anticipated, which is thanks to everyone who is rolling up their sleeve and getting vaccinated. However, when reopening City amenities, there are many factors that come into play such as public safety, timing, staffing levels and fiscal responsibility. Like many businesses, the City of Orillia is experiencing challenges with recruiting staff for many positions that help facilitate the safe operation of facilities, particularly lifeguards given the break in training opportunities due to the pandemic,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “We appreciate your patience as we safely ease into Step 3 and we look forward to seeing you back using City amenities as soon as possible." 

Please note the following impacts to City of Orillia facilities and services: 

Recreation Programming and Facilities

• The Orillia Recreation Centre (ORC) will reopen on weekdays only beginning July 26, 2021. See the chart below for details on services that will be provided: 

• For more details or to register for weekday timeslots at the ORC, please visit orillia.ca/SUN. It is anticipated that weekend operations will begin in September dependent on staffing and lifeguard availability.
• Rotary Place and Brian Orser Arena will open to on-ice user groups on Aug. 3 and non-ice user groups on Aug. 13. Barnfield Point Recreation Centre continues to be utilized as a summer camp location and remains closed to the public at this time, with the exception of Bayside Restaurant. 

Opera House and Stephen Leacock Museum

• The Orillia Opera House is anticipated to reopen its stage to audiences beginning Aug. 18, bringing back the popular Summer Theatre program with Old Love by Norm Foster. Shows will be limited to 100 patrons to allow for distancing. The Box Office will be open to the public Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning July 20 and during Summer Theatre programming. Tickets can be purchased in person during Box Office hours or online 24/7 at orilliaoperahouse.ca. 
• The Stephen Leacock Museum will begin booking guided tours on select days beginning July 26. Staff continue to take bookings for weddings and private rentals. Events will resume on-site beginning in August, including the Mariposa Arts Theatre outdoor performance, Bard in the Yard. For more information regarding tours, rental opportunities, and events, please visit leacockmuseum.com. 

Other Municipal Facilities

• The Orillia City Centre (50 Andrew St. S.) is open by appointment only at this time. No walk-ins are permitted. To book an appointment, visit orillia.ca/onlineservices. Residents are encouraged to continue accessing City services through the website, email and phone when possible. We will be working towards a reopening to the public for walk-ins for Aug. 3, 2021.
• The Orillia Youth Centre will continue to operate within the Province’s guidelines for capacity limits. For more information, contact the Youth Centre at 705-325-8082.
• The Orillia Public Library is open for in-person services and dedicated curbside pick-up dates. For more information, please visit orilliapubliclibrary.ca.
• The Wastewater Treatment Centre, Water Filtration Plant, Municipal Operations Centre, Fire Stations, and Waste Diversion Site Administration Office will remain closed to the public at this time (the Waste Diversion Site itself is open to the public). All services are available by phone or email. 

COVID-19 Waterfront Parking and Boat Launch Program

• The COVID-19 Waterfront Parking and Boat Launch Program remains in effect Fridays to Sundays and public holidays. The City of Orillia will continue to monitor and evaluate this program. For more information on resident parking permits and visitor parking fees and restrictions, visit orillia.ca/parking
• Barbecues, cooking devices and tents remain prohibited at Orillia parks and beaches. 

“As we move into Step 3 of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen, I would like to thank our community for their efforts keeping Orillia safe during this very long, challenging pandemic. We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, with more vaccinations rolling out daily, but we must continue to adhere to all public health measures. If you haven’t gotten vaccinated, please do so as soon as possible so we can avoid another wave in the fall,” said Mayor Clarke. 

For more information visit: orillia.ca/COVID-19 

Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen began at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2021 and includes, but is not limited to: 

• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions;
• Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people;
• Indoor dining permitted with no limits on the number of patrons per table with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect;
• Essential and non-essential retail with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres;
• Personal care services, including services requiring the removal of a face covering, with capacity limited to the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres.

For the full details, please visit ontario.ca/COVID-19. 

For COVID-19 updates, assessment centre information, and the latest vaccination information from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, visit: simcoemuskokahealth.org/COVID19 

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Mayor Steve Clarke
705-326-1177
mayor@orillia.ca

Brent Thomas
Orillia Fire Chief
705-325-5889
bthomas@orillia.ca

Gayle Jackson
Chief Administrative Officer
705-238-7501
gjackson@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Director of Business Development and Communications
705-238-9209
jruff@orillia.ca