Centre Wellington opens tennis courts, sports fields on Friday

Township: the following remain closed: skateparks, basketball courts, playgrounds, park washrooms, splashpads

May 22, 2020 @ 11:32 amNews

For the love of the game - Members of the Fergus Tennis Club prepared the courts on May 16 in anticipation of the start of their new season. Working on the nets is Tom McAuslan, vice-president of the club, while member Felicia Urbanski, back, assists Malcolm Molloy (not shown) in setting up the screening around the courts on Union Street and Tower Street South. Photo by Keegan Taylor

ELORA –Centre Wellington has now reopened municipal tennis courts and sports fields – but team activities are not permitted

“Staff are working diligently to ensure our amenities open safely and quickly” said Mayor Kelly Linton in a May 22 press release.

“We are all looking forward to getting out on the courts for a game of tennis, or spread a blanket out at the park to play catch or kick a ball with our family, and we appreciate your patience as we re-open amenities based on direction from the provincial government.”

Also open are structures at parks and open spaces – including picnic tables, benches, shelters, outdoor furniture, bleachers – but officials warn that these items are not sanitized, so residents should wash/sanitize their hands thoroughly after use.

Earlier this week the township reopened the Fergus dog park.

Officials stressed that the following remain closed: skateparks, basketball courts, playgrounds, park washrooms, splashpads and water bottle filling stations.

Township officials urged patience as they try to reopen amenities, noting “staffing levels have been reduced due to deferring the hiring of seasonal staff … full-time staff from other areas have been redeployed to assist with the reopening of our parks.”

“The Fergus Tennis Club has been a fixture in our community for the past 100 years,” said Sheila Hogarth, Fergus Tennis Club president.

“We are happy to announce that the tradition …. will continue for the 2020 season, although social events will be tempered and operations will be tailored in support of ‘safe play’. “

Officials say members of the public must adhere to tennis court rules and distancing requirement while using all amenities – or the municipality may be forced to again close them.

Residents are asked to:

  • maintain a physical distance of at least two metres or six feet, except for members of the same household;
  • avoid gathering in groups of more than five (no team actrivities);
  • wear non-medical masks where possible;
  • practice good cough etiquette; and
  • wash/sanitize their hands often.

For more information about tennis court rules and hours of operation, visit www.centrewellington.ca/tennis.

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