Anger and frustration flow as the city announces a new stadium and pool closure

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The last day of swimming, skating, hockey and other indoor activities at the city’s facilities was a daunting Tuesday for young athletes whose beloved sports have been eliminated, once again.

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“It’s difficult for kids, very difficult,” said Riverside Skating Club President Peiling Huang after the city of Windsor announced the almost immediate closure of its indoor recreational facilities (pools, community centers and arenas) for at least the next 21 days. The crackdown comes on the orders of the province, which cited soaring cases and fears of overrun hospitals as it announced stricter restrictions on Monday.

The closure of their sports facilities really hits these kids down, said Huang, who said that many skaters have quit out of frustration during previous closures.

I am very disappointed and upset

“It is not fair, we have athletes who have been training for so many years and these last two years with COVID has impacted them a lot,” he said, expressing his hope that the closure will end in 21 days and not be prolonged.

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“It is so sudden and so fast.”

The city has been offering limited or reserved programs at its indoor recreational facilities since the fall, including at its stadiums for hockey players and skaters, a holiday camp during the Christmas break, after-school programming at four locations, and water sports. at the WFCU Center. and the downtown aquatic center.

“So the changes that go into effect (Wednesday) morning at 12:01 am impact what we have open and for the most part things are closing up again,” said Jen Knights, executive director of recreation and culture at the city. She said all user groups have been notified and city staff will continue to keep them updated.

“We hope to be optimistic that three weeks will be the limit, but knowing that this is still fluid and fluctuating.”

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For elite skaters at the South Windsor Skating Club like 16-year-old Jake Ellis, the shutdown couldn’t come at a worse time, as January through March is when crucial competitions take place.

“I need ice to train for competitions,” said Ellis, sixth-place in Canada for young men. “I am very disappointed and upset,” he said. “It’s difficult for us and it affects our skating and our mental health.”

His 14-year-old fellow skater Om Dighe said with the upcoming competitions: “I feel like I really need this last push. But since the stadiums are closing, it makes me nervous. “

Several top-level elite local skaters, including Huang’s daughter Katherine Karon, 17, will compete in the national championships in Ottawa next week.

South Windsor Skating Club high-performance coach Lori Lafferty-Vilneff said the club has asked the city to allow elite skaters to use a local stadium (something that is allowed under Ontario regulations) because without Ice weather will have to go from Windsor to places. like Toronto, where elite skating is allowed, before these competitions.

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The skaters, he said, are sad, angry and disappointed, because everything possible has been done to keep the arenas safe. Everyone who enters must be doubly exposed. There is a double projection daily, around the city and then around the club. The skaters and coaches are masked and kept well separated.

“To be honest with you, it’s safer here than in the supermarket or the mall,” Lafferty-Vilneff said.

Riverside Minor Hockey President Anne Marie Schofield said no one disputes the growing number of cases, but feels that decision makers are not taking into account the emotional damage caused when children are unable to participate in activities like hockey. He has about 20 children in the Take a Shot program, for new Canadians or low-income kids who have never played before, who will be marginalized. The same is true for children with special needs in the Special Rangers program.

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“These are kids who are dependent on the schedule and the regimen and it’s being taken away from them,” said Schofield, who said he’s sad for all of his players.

The modified second step of the roadmap to reopen will also force the closure on Wednesday of the Chimczuk Museum and François Baby House Museum. The libraries will remain open but at 50% of their capacity.

The SOAR after-school program will be offered virtually. Learn to Swim programs, recreational programs, swimming rinks, Aqua Fit, gym reservations, and public skating are canceled for at least three weeks, although the Lanspeary Lions outdoor skating rink remains open for skating. reserved.

A complete list of affected municipal services is available at CityWindsor.ca.

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The city’s 311 service remains operational from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. Residents are encouraged to access City services online whenever possible.

“For those services that must be delivered in person, we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through capacity challenges related to COVID,” says a press release issued Tuesday.

In addition to closing some indoor facilities, the city has returned to a work-from-home scenario for the “vast majority” of staff, Mayor Drew Dilkens said. Needed services in person will be available by appointment.

“While these public health measures are intended to mitigate the impact that Omicron is having on our public health system, we recognize that they are a blow to businesses, families, and many individuals in our community,” said the Mayor, urging people to book appointments to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.

The Knights said that if there is a silver lining to the forcible closure of city facilities, “it is that we will have some staff that we can reassign to other areas that need support,” such as the mass vaccination center, parks and Huron Lodge. . -Term home care.

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