The Good Cheer Splash Pad at Kelso Beach Park in Owen Sound. (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting)
The Ontario government has decided to allow splash pads to open this weekend after all.
A spokesperson for Minister of Health Christine Elliott confirms splash pads will be permitted to open Saturday, alongside several other outdoor recreational amenities.
The Roadmap to Reopen unveiled by the Ford government on Thursday originally planned to hold off opening splash pads until mid-June.
Municipalities operate splash pads and while the province is now allowing them to open, it doesn’t necessarily mean the water is turned on at the local spot in your community for kids to cool off and play.
The splash pad at Kelso Beach Park in Owen Sound is not opening yet, as a Public Health inspection is needed first.
“We are thankful that the Province did reconsider and add splash pads to its list of outdoor amenities, and look forward to having it up and open as soon as possible,” City Manager Tim Simmonds says in an email.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau says the town normally opens its splash pads in Port Elgin and Southampton in early June.
“It’s good news that our splash pads will be able to open on schedule,” Charbonneau says in an email.
Also today, golf courses and driving ranges, tennis and basketball courts, skate parks and soccer/other sports fields are allowed to open. However, recreational team sports are still barred.
Limits for outdoor social gatherings and organized public events are expanded to five people, including members of different households.