City of Hamilton closing some municipal facilities as part of COVID-19 precautions

HAMILTON, ON - In consultation with Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, to help slow the rate of COVID-19 infection in Hamilton and protect vulnerable populations including seniors and people with compromised immune systems, the City of Hamilton is expanding COVID-19 precautions today to include the closing of a number of municipal facilities.

As of 12:01 am on Sunday, March 15, 2020, the City of Hamilton will completely close the following facilities:

• Recreation Centres: (Ancaster Aquatic, Bennetto, Bernie Morelli, Brewster Pool, Central Memorial, Dalewood, Dundas Pool, Dundas Recreation, Hill Park, Huntington, Jimmy Thompson Pool, Pinky Lewis, Riverdale, Ryerson, Sir Allan McNab, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Winston Churchill, Stoney Creek, Valley Park, Westmount, Winona)
• Senior’s Centres: (Sackville, Flamborough, Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre)
• Senior’s Clubs: (Club 60, Dundas, Main Hess, Rosedale, Victoria Park, Warden Park, Winona)
• Ancaster Rotary Centre (Heron Creek Fitness at the Ancaster Rotary Centre currently remains open)
• Arenas: (Beverly, Bill Friday, Carlisle, Chedoke Arena, Coronation, JL Grightmire, Eastwood, Glanbrook, Harry Howell, Inch Park, Morgan Firestone, Mountain Arena, Mountain Arena Skating Centre, Olympic, Parkdale, Quad Pad – Mohawk 4 Ice Centre, Rosedale, Saltfleet, Spring Valley, Stoney Creek, Valley Park)
• Community Halls: (Beasley (Simone Hall), Beverly Township, Binbrook, Carlisle Memorial, Fruitland Hall, Millgrove, Mount Hope, Mountsberg, Sealy Park, Sheffield, Valens, Waterdown Memorial, Woodburn Hall, Eastmount Community Hall)
• Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse
• City-run Museums: (Ancaster Old Town Hall, Battlefield House Museum, Dundurn National Historic Site, Fieldcote Museum, Hamilton Children’s Museum, Hamilton Military Museum, Steam and Technology Museum and Woodshed facility, and Whitehern House and Stables)
• Tourism Visitor Centre at the Lister Block
• Hamilton Public Library: All Hamilton Public Library branches are closed effective as of 5 pm today through Sunday, April 5. While the Library is closed, no library materials will become due. HPL’s online resources are available 24/7. Customers can register for a Library card online and find eBooks, eAudio, magazines, newspapers and more on www.hpl.ca. During the closure, HPL staff can answer your questions over the phone or online. For updates and more information, please visit www.hpl.ca.

As of 12:01 am on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the City of Hamilton will completely close the following facility:

• Child Care: (Red Hill Family Centre)

During these closures, the City will conduct deep cleaning and disinfecting activities at the closed facilities. As well, wherever possible, minor maintenance activities will be scheduled to minimize possible future down time at the closed locations. 

Reimbursements for program cancellations will be processed as soon as possible. The tentative date for services to resume and facilities to reopen is April 6, 2020.

The following facilities will remain open at this time:

• City Hall at 71 Main St. W
• Ontario Works buildings
• Municipal Service Centres (Service Canada counters at the municipal service centres in Flamborough, Dundas and at Hamilton City Hall are closed)
• Mountain Transit Centre at 2200 Upper James St.
• Community Recycling Centres
• HSR service counter at the Hunter Go Station
• Municipal cemeteries
• Hamilton Water service counter at 330 Wentworth St. N
• Housing service counter at 350 King St. E
• Animal Services at 247 Dartnall Rd.
• Parking System Office at 80 Main St. W
• Provincial Offences Administration Offices at 50 Main St. E
• Municipal Licensing and By-law Services offices at 77 James St. N

In addition to these specific buildings, all City administrative office buildings remain open. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures are in place. Wherever possible, residents are encouraged to complete any service transactions online, during off-peak hours, or over the phone. Please note, residents attending City facilities in person may experience delays. The public is asked not to access City facilities if they are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

The following services are not impacted:

• Emergency response by Hamilton Police, Hamilton Fire Department, and Hamilton Paramedic Services
• HSR service will continue to operate. The mass gathering recommendations announced yesterday by the provincial government does not include public transit
• Hamilton Water operations continue, including drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment, and stormwater management
• Garbage, recycling and organics collection continues
• Shelters, respites, and drop-in centres continue to operate with measures already established
• Road, sidewalk, and bikeway operations and maintenance, including snow removal, continues
• Hamilton Farmers’ Market continues to operate

The City will also be revoking any Special Event Advisory Team (SEAT) permits for gatherings of more than 250 people planned between now and April 6. The City will be working with the event organizers in the coming days to either cancel, postpone or modify their events.

Additional information

Any outstanding questions about service delivery and program impacts should be directed to 905-546-CITY (2489).

• City of Hamilton COVID-19-related facility closures: www.hamilton.ca/covidclosures
• Hamilton COVID-19 information: www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline or [email protected]
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jen Recine
Communications
City of Hamilton
905-973-0592
[email protected]

Michelle Shantz
Communications and Media Advisor
Office of Mayor Fred Eisenberger
905-546-4225
[email protected]