UPDATE: July 29 Downtown Orillia street closures now include Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Based on the success of the Friday night “See You On The Patio” program, Mississaga Street will also be closed to traffic on Saturday evenings between 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. beginning Aug. 1, 2020 to allow Downtown Orillia restaurants and retailers to continue to expand into the street. 

“The Friday street closure experiment has been a resounding success,” said Coun. Ted Emond, Chair of the Economic Recovery Task Force (ERTF). “It has been very popular with local residents who have been able to enjoy their favourite restaurants in an open-air setting. And, it has provided downtown retailers with the opportunity to capitalize on the increased traffic to generate some much-needed revenue during this time of economic crisis.” 

Including Saturday nights in the road closure was dependent on the success and demonstrated safety of the Friday night closures. The evening road closures will continue throughout August only if residents and visitors continue to physically distance and wear masks indoors or when physical distance is a challenge. 

“The health and safety of our community and those who visit remains paramount,” added Coun. Emond. “Please take advantage of the hand sanitization stations we have available and enjoy the street entertainment responsibly.” 

ON FRIDAYS: 

• All blocks along Mississaga Street from Matchedash to Andrew Street will be closed to traffic, from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m.
• Peter Street, between Colborne Street East and Mississaga Street East, will be closed to traffic during the same time to allow for activity in the Peter Street Arts District.
• Intersections at West Street and Andrew Street will remain open to through traffic. 

ON SATURDAYS: 

• All blocks along Mississaga Street from Matchedash Street to Andrew Street will be closed to traffic, from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m.
• Peter Street will remain open, and Mississaga Street intersections at West and Andrew Streets will also remain open to through traffic. 

Patios throughout the entire City continue to offer residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy a meal in a safe environment. 

For more information on local patio offerings, visit orillialakecountry.ca/see-you-on-the-patio/. 

City Council approved the street closure measures with the support of the Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB) and have committed funds to support staffing for the closure along with signage, sanitization stations, and safe animation of the street with entertainment. Council allocated additional funding to the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Program (DTCIP) Grant Funding to account for a potential increase in the number of patio-related grant applications in the City’s downtown core. 

City and DOMB staff will continue to be on-site during the street closures, which will continue on Fridays and Saturdays until September 5. 

It’s important to remember the following: 

• Stay home and away from others when you are feeling ill.
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Keep a physical distance of two metres when outside your house.
• Wear a mask/face covering where physical distancing is a challenge or not possible and when indoors.
• Avoid touching your face and cover your face when coughing or sneezing. 

For more information on the ERTF and current initiatives, visit the ERTF webpage at orillia.ca/businesssupport.  

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Orillia & Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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Coun. Ted Emond
Chair, Economic Recovery Task Force
705-345-3363

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