Covid 19 Proof of Vaccination for Recreation Facilities.

To protect workers and the public, as of September 22, 2021 the Province of Ontario government requires patrons entering certain public settings and facilities to provide proof of identification and of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. These settings are outlined in O. Reg. 645/21, which is an amendment to O. Reg. 364/20: RULES FOR AREAS AT STEP 3 AND AT THE ROADMAP EXIT STEP. All City Recreation facilities will follow strict health and safety guidelines including, but not limited to: COVID-19 screening and vaccine verification, capacity limits, physical distancing, mask requirements where applicable, and cleaning and disinfecting practices.

Entry requirements for recreation facilities:

Prior to a patron entering one of the City's indoor recreation facilities (unless they meet one of the outlined exemptions below), they must provide proof of identification (i.e. a piece of ID that has the name of the identification holder and their date of birth (e.g. birth certificate, citizenship card, drivers licence, health card, status card, passport, permanent residence card), a photo identification is not required) and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (vaccination certificates may be shown electronically or in hard copy; we do not retain a copy of the certificate) or proof of a documented medical exemption. 

This must be done at every visit.  Proof of ID and/or vaccination will not be retained or recorded in any way.

All individuals that do not meet an outlined exemption must provide proof documents, even if accompanying an individual who is exempt. 

Exemptions:

  • *Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons;
  •  A patron entering an indoor area solely for the following purposes:
  • To use a washroom;
  • To access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route;
  • To make a retail purchase;
  • While placing or picking up an order;
  • While paying for an order;
  • To purchase admission; or
  • As may be necessary for the purposes of health and safety.
  • Those who are under 12 years of age;
  • Those who are under 18 years of age, and who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport, in accordance with guidance published by the Ministry of Health on its website for the purposes of this provision;
  • Those who provide a written document, completed and supplied by a physician or registered nurse in the extended class, that sets out, in accordance with the Ministry’s guidance mentioned in subsection (4),
  • a documented medical reason for not being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and the effective time-period for the medical reason

  • Those who are entering the indoor premises of a meeting or event space, including a conference centre or community centre, solely for the purposes of attending a wedding service, rite or ceremony or a funeral service, rite or ceremony, but not an associated social gathering;

  • Those who are entering the indoor premises of a meeting or event space other than a place described in clause (e), including a conference centre or Community centre, for the purposes of attending a social gathering associated with a wedding service, rite or ceremony or a social gathering associated with a funeral service, rite or ceremony, on or after September 22, 2021, but before October 13, 2021, as long as the patron produces the results of an antigen test administered within the previous 48 hours establishing that the person is negative for COVID-19 to the person responsible for the establishment.

 

*City of Thunder Bay employees, students and volunteers are subject to the City of Thunder Bay’s Vaccine Disclosure Policy.

City Recreation amenities 

 City Arenas

  • Current River Arena open 
  • Port Arthur Arena open
  • Neebing, Grandview, Delaney Arenas reopen Sept. 26
  • The Fort William Gardens remains closed for facility improvements until early October
  • For ice bookings, contact the Facility Booking Coordinator at 252-9628

City-Run Community Centres

  • Vale and Jumbo Gardens Community Centres  are open.
  • West Arthur Community Centre open

Aquatics Facilities

  • Volunteer Pool open with limited hours, for limited activities which include lengths, lessons, and lifeguard/instructor programs

Sunday - 1:00 to 6:00 pm - Public Swim

Monday to Friday  - 6:00 to 10:00 am and 11:30 am to 1:00 pm - Length Swim

Monday to Thursday - 7:30 to 9:00 pm - Length Swim

Wednesday -  1:00 to 2:30 pm – Public Swim

Thursday -  6:00 to 7:30 pm – Public Swim

Friday - 6:00 to 8:15 pm – Public Swim

Saturday -  8:00 to 10:00 am – Length Swim

Saturday -  1:00 to 8:00 pm – Public Swim

  • The Canada Games Complex open with limited hours for limited activities which include lengths, lessons, and limited gym/fitness as follows:

Monday: 8am – 10pm

Tuesday: 5:45am – 10pm

Wednesday: 5:45am – 10pm

Thursday: 8am – 10pm

Friday: 5:45am – 9pm

Saturday: 8am – 5pm

Sunday: 8am – 9pm

  • Churchill Pool remains closed for maintenance until early December

Youth Move and Youth Inclusion Program

  • In-person registered programs  running

Older Adults Centres

  • Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre is open. Amenities include the River Street Café, billiard room (pre-booking required), and library (hours: 10 am – 3 pm, Tuesday – Friday,)
  • Seniors programs at the 55 Plus Centre and West Arthur Community Centre have resumed. 

For the latest information, updates, and impact on City services visit: www.thunderbay.ca/COVID-19  

 

Pre-screening tool

Pre-screening is required at all recreation facilities upon reopening. Help reduce line-ups at entrances by filling out the online pre-screening tool:

Recreation Facilities (Pools, Arenas, Stadia and Kinsmen Centre) Pre-Screening Tool

Older Adults (55 Plus Centre and West Arthur) Pre-Screening Tool

Facility and program information

Program information is listed in The Key. Note that provincial orders and/or regional status may impact registration and start dates of programs and programming is subject to change.

Fall Program Registration began:

  • Senior (Older Adult) Programs on August 11
  • All other programs on August 16

Register online, call the hotline at 807-625-8463 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to register for an activity, or call a facility directly for more information.

  • Victoriaville Civic Centre: 625-2351
  • Canada Games Complex: 684-3403
  • Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre: 684-3066
  • Volunteer Pool: 345-5143
 Children & Youth Programs

Children's Programs

View the City's section of the Key for information on available programs and services.

 

Youth Move

  • Ages 12-18 welcome
  • Virtual programming will be offered
  • Indoor programming is offered Tuesday-Friday from 3-9pm and Saturday from 12-4pm at the Kinsmen Youth Centre (609 James St. N.)
  • Social distancing will be implemented when facility is open, and masks are required (will be provided if participants do not have one)
  • Games, crafts, video games, computer access, sports, snacks and more.

For more information on Youth Move, call 625-2344 or find Youth Move on Facebook or Instagram.

 

Youth Inclusion Program

The Youth Inclusion Program provides neighbourhood based programming created to fit the needs of youth ages 12-24. 

  • YIP is currently accepting referrals for one-to-one supports
    • Fill out a participant referral form to request support
    • Youth Navigators will work with youth to identify strengths and provide support for employment, housing, well-being, education, mental health, and pro-social cultural and recreational opportunities.
  • In-person programming takes place three times a week. In addition to one virtual program a week. Check out YIP on Instagram or Facebook for details on upcoming programs and events.
  • Email youthinclusion@thunderbay.ca for more details
 Junior Inclusion Services

Junior Inclusion Services (J.I.S.) provides support for the Recreation & Culture Division's programs to children and youth with special needs. Support includes one week per participant. 

View the City's section of The Key for programs that JIS supports. 

To request support: Call 625-3220
 Older Adult Programs

Older Adult programming began on September 13, 2021

  • Pre-screening will be required. Please fill out the online pre-screening form if possible, otherwise paper copies are available at the door
  • Masks or face coverings will be required
  • Physical distancing must be maintained
  • No use of change rooms or shower facilities
  • Participants are asked to bring their own water bottles to fill at the new touchless water fill stations

Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre

  • Call 684-3066 for more information

West Arthur Community Centre

  • Call 684-3066 with questions
Pools and Fitness

Churchill Pool (currently CLOSED for construction)

 

Canada Games Complex

  • The pool will be open for bookings for length swimming and Family/ Adult/ Teen Swimming as of July 26, Monday to Friday from 5pm to 9pm. 
  • Fitness classes and programs will be offered on a reduced schedule.
  • Pre-booking for pool fitness areas and classes and squash courts is required. For details visit www.thunderbay.ca/cgc
  • Memberships will remain on hold for all membership types until an expansion of hours is in place. 
  • Pre-screening is required prior to entry. Fill out the online pre-screening tool the day of your activity, or a paper copy when you arrive.
  • Babysitting service and towel rentals will not be available at this time.
  • Call 625-3738 to register for a swim lesson waitlist as of July 16, 2021 at 9am.

View the The Key for programs (subject to change due to COVID-19). 

Volunteer Pool 

  • The pool will be open as of July 19 from 6am to 9am for length swimming. 
  • Pre-screening is required prior to entry. Fill out the online pre-screening tool the day of your activity, or a paper copy when you arrive.
Community Centres

 

  • Current River, North McIntyre, Oliver Road, Vale, West Arthur and West Thunder will reopen gradually for limited programming. Contact a centre directly for more information on available hours and bookings.
  • Jumbo, North End, South Neebing and Vickers Heights will remain closed during the red stage.
  • Maximum 10 people seated for centres with restaurant service (max. 4 seated together); take-out is also available at participating centres
  • For centres that offer meeting and event spaces (including weddings), a limit of four people may be seated together
  • Liquor can only be sold or served up until 9 pm
  • No consumption of liquor permitted between 10 pm to 9 am
  • Meeting and event spaces must be closed from 10 pm to 5 am
  • Visit: www.thunderbay.ca/communitycentres for information

Several centres are operated by external boards, and available services will vary by centre. Please contact the centres directly for inquiries.

 
Arenas & Stadia

Contact the Facility Booking Coordinator for Arenas & Stadia inquiries and bookings at 807-625-2434.

 

  • Pre-screening is required before entering any City recreational facility. Fill out the online tool here: www.thunderbay.ca/rfst

  • Players must come dressed to arena (other than skates and helmets – no bags inside)

  • Masks are required inside the facility (but may be removed when putting on helmet and/or actively participating in physical activity)

  • No access to dressing rooms at this time

  • Please arrive and depart within 15min of your ice rental

  • FWG Box Office is closed to the public

  • All arena concession sites are currently closed 
Events

Visit the Events page for upcoming events!

Please be 'COVID-Kind' at our facilities

We recognize that the protocols we've had to introduce are inconvenient, especially with the colder weather coming. We wish things could go back to normal too! However, with cases rising, it's now more important than ever to follow Provincial legislation, Public Health guidelines, and industry standards in order to continue to offer the recreational programs you love, safely.

Please respect our staff as they implement the necessary measures to keep you (and themselves) safe. View some of our frequently asked questions in the drop down below:

What expectations are there for visitors who enter recreational facilities?
  • Screen online or at the entry the day of your activity. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling unwell, please do not enter. 
  • Wear a mask throughout all spaces of the facility, except while actively engaging in strenuous physical activity
  • Wipe down any shared equipment after use (eg. after using fitness equipment). Our staff will also be cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day, but this will help prevent spread between each use.
  • Practice physical distancing based on current standards. 
  • Follow capacity limits posted in each facility/room.
  • Only enter through designated, monitored entrances. Do not let people in unmonitored entrances/exits.
  • Pre-book fitness classes, pool times and squash times. Additional reservations may be required depending on the facility or the city's current level in Ontario's Response Framework.
  • Please bring your own water bottle as only water bottle filling stations will be available and not fountains.
  • Sanitize hands upon entering a facility, and practice frequent hand washing/sanitizing as needed after engaging in activities throughout the facility.
  • Respectful behaviour is expected from both our staff and customers. Please respect our staff as they work hard to provide programs and services while keeping the public and themselves safe. Acts of aggression and harrassment towards staff or other users will not be tolerated and those who act in such a manner will be asked to leave. Please be respectful as we all adapt to new protocols.
Are masks still mandatory? Why aren't some people wearing them?

Yes! Please wear a mask at all times in the facility except while actively engaging in strenuous physical activity. 

Some people are exempt due to medical conditions or other factors. Under law, we are not allowed to ask them for proof of exemption, so we ask that patrons respect eachother's privacy and continue to physically distance. 
 
Why do I need to screen every time, even if I'm there every day?

Everyone must screen every time they enter our facilities - this is particularly important as we have hit the second wave in Thunder Bay. Answers to screening can change very quickly with the onset of even minor symptoms.

It is vital that participants answer each question truthfully, and do not enter if they are exhibiting ANY symptoms of COVID-19. It is simply not worth the risk.
Why does it matter where people enter or exit a facility? 

We need to be able to track the number of people in the facility at all times. Staffing levels might mean some exits will be locked from the outside (ie. people can exit but not enter), as staff may not be available to monitor every door.

It is very important that visitors do not attempt to let other people in through an unmonitored exit. This can lead to overcrowding and visitors not being properly screened, putting participants and staff at risk.
What can I do to keep others safe before, during or after my activity?
  • Minimize social gatherings of participants and spectators both before and after the activity. This includes spectator stands, washrooms and the areas outside of the filed of play/facilities. 
  • Limit carpooling and meals (in homes or at restaurants) to those within your household 
  • Limit gatherings inside and outside facilities. Ensure a two-metre physical distance and wearing masks if parents and/or participants are socializing in the facility parking lots.   
  • Do not coach or play for more than one team 
  • Wear a face mask at all times unless engaged in strenuous athletic activity 
  • Maintain physical distance of at least two metres from other people before, during and after the activity 
  • Clean and disinfect equipment between uses 
  • Do not share your sports gear with other people 
  • Practice frequent hand hygiene by using an alcohol-based hand rub or washing your hands with soap
  • Adhere to all current public health guidelines/restrictions around travel and gatherings.
 

Reopening of other facilities and programs

Reopening plans for various facilities and programs are being developed and reviewed based on key principles of safety first, value for money, and creating opportunities. Reopenings take into account health and safety protocols, staffing, and other facility considerations prior to being recommended and approved. 

Program registration credits and refunds

  • Staff will refund credits to registered programs that have been cancelled due to facility shutdowns. Clients who wish to request a refund  may call Community Services at 625-2351 or 625-8463.
    • If necessary, please leave a voicemail or send an email to communityservices@thunderbay.ca with your contact information; staff will return your call. Important: Do not submit credit card information via voicemail or email. Refunds may take up to 3-4 weeks to process
    • Members have the option to put memberships on hold due to COVID-19 concerns. Email gamescomplex@thunderbay.ca to make arrangements.

If you require additional details or clarification, please connect with staff Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. using the information listed below. 

  • General Inquiries: 625-2351
  • Aquatics/Fitness Memberships: 684-3333
  • Event Tickets: 625-2929
  • Facility Rentals/Bookings: 625-2227
  • Ice Rentals/Bookings: 252-9628
  • Programs: 625-8463

Stay up to date with information from the City on COVID-19.

Virtual programming 

Please enjoy the free virtual programming included below with your family and loved ones - or on your own! - as we navigate these challenging times together. The linked content has been curated by Recreation & Culture Division staff, who cannot wait to reconnect with community members in-person once the emergency orders have been lifted. Until we can once again gather together, please enjoy the information and resources listed below – and feel free to connect with us via our social media pages!

 Arts & crafts
 
 Educational
 Fitness, wellness & sport
 For adults & older adults
 For teens
 Get outside
 Music & film
 Recipes

Recreation activities and programs 

Get active in Thunder Bay with one of our many recreation activities. We have children and youth programs, activities for older adults and a variety of accessible activities. The City also hosts performances, exhibitions, festivals and events year-round.

Learn more about the recreation activities and programs offered by the City, including guidelines by age, and how to register. You can also check out The Key recreation guide to see what is happening each season. Looking for more things to do? Visit Thunder Bay also highlights what to see and do in the City as well as outdoor activities and adventures.

Recreation facilities

We have a variety of recreation facilities including community centres, pools, arenas, golf and older adult centres. Book or rent a facility for your next gathering or sporting event.

Exercise outdoors

Enjoy one of the many parks, campgrounds and conservation areas across the City. Explore one of our many trails, whether you're planning a hike, biking, or taking a walk with your family.

Arts, culture, and history

Thunder Bay is one of Canada's Cultural Capitals, a distinction awarded by the Government of Canada. Our City is rich in arts and culture. View our City art collection, discover the City's growing collection of public art, or take part in one of our Call to Artists competitions.

Baggage Building Arts Centre

Located in the historic freight shed at the waterfront, the Baggage Building Arts Centre is a hub for cultural exchange and collaboration. It's the creative heart of Prince Arthur's Landing, which fosters creative people and organizations year-round. View local artistic talent or sign up for a workshop and create your own art.

Explore the city

Learn more about what our city has to offer by exploring our Visit Thunder Bay tourism website.

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