Ontario Government Announces Arena Guidelines Changes

The province has announced A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long Term according to Peterborough Public Health (PPH) announced Monday.

File Photo.

PPH has confirmed that facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities including areas for spectators within those facilities, can make updates to their facility safety plans. Below are some of the key highlights of the announcement:

Effective 12:01 a.m. on Mon. October 25th, 2021:

• Proof of vaccination (POV) is required for every person 12+ entering the indoor facility unless they have an approved exemption.  

  • In the Peterborough Public Health region, there is a letter of instruction in effect for indoor facilities where organized sports are played or practiced that must be implemented, which requires POV for coaches, volunteers, and officials 12 years of age and older (effective Oct. 18th), as well as for active participants 12-17 (which commences Nov. 26).  

  • For more information about approved exemptions, refer to the guidance document, beginning on page 4.  

• Capacity limits for facilities can be removed; which means confirming proof of vaccine is exceptionally important. 

• Physical distancing requirements in spectator and non-spectator areas can be removed. 

• Contact tracing requirements remain for everyone entering the facility

• Active screening requirements remain for everyone entering the facility

• Facilities are still required to have safety plans

• Organized sports leagues and organized events must submit a safety plan to the facility prior to being granted a permit to use the facility

• Everyone must wear a mask indoors, limited exemptions apply (including when a person is engaged in athletic or fitness activity)

• Enhanced cleaning & disinfection is still required

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.

Reopening/Exit Step Guidelines-General:  

1.    Hand sanitization upon entry of the facility is highly recommended.  

2.    Masks are required in indoor areas. Some exemptions apply as per the provincial regulations.  

3.    All individuals entering must provide proof of vaccination (POV) before entering the facility. Individuals must be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) against COVID-19 and provide their proof of vaccination along with approved Identification in order to access all indoor sport and recreation facilities. Limited exemptions are permitted. 

4.    All individuals entering an arena facility must actively screen to record the name(s) and contact information of every member of the public entering the facility. This includes all participants including coaches, athletes, and spectators from both home and visiting teams, using the following link (https://www.peterborough.ca/ArenaScreen/). Confirmation is presented in digital (email/screenshot) or printed paper copy form to security/city staff prior to entry  

5.    Floor markers, signage and enhanced cleaning measures using disinfectant with a DIN# are implemented to control the risk of transmission.    

6.    An approved safety plan is required from each user group prior to facility access or rental 

Reopening/Exit Step Guidelines- Arenas:  

1. Groups are to enter using designated entry points and adhere to all directional signage and staff direction while inside and while exiting the facility. 

2. Prior to entry, all individuals including players, coaches/trainers, instructors, officials/ timekeepers, and all spectators must provide POV and completion of screening to on duty security/city staff at designated entry points of each facility 

3. No capacity limit to on ice participants, unless identified (i.e. Public Skating/Programs)  

4. Full access allowed during the following hours (Mon-Fri 4pm-11pm or Weekends 7am-11pm), but designated entrances must be utilized  

5. Controlled access is still effective for all nonprime hours Mon-Friday 6a-3pm. Access to be provided by city staff 30 mins prior to permitted time at designated point of entry.  

6. Changerooms provided with no capacity restrictions. Please note rooms may not be available immediately but will be no later than 30 mins prior to permitted time  

7. Changerooms are to be exited by all players/coaches 20 mins following permitted time to permit required cleaning and sanitizing by City staff. 

8. Showers will be available to all user groups  

9. Off-ice training and activities (i.e shooting pucks/balls) are not permitted inside the facility. Warm up activities such as stretching will be permitted but should be minimized within the facility.

10. All permit holders are responsible for ensuring their groups and participants adhere to all governing body sport regulations and policies (e.g., Hockey Canada, Ontario Hockey Federation, Skate Ontario etc.).  

11. All permit holders must ensure that groups of participants and spectators adhere to all Arena Guidelines and Facility Code of Conduct.  

Holy Cross Celebrates Grand Opening Of New Sport Complex

After three years of construction, the next era of athletics for Holy Cross Secondary School (HCSS) is here as a new sports complex with an artificial turf field has officially opened on Tuesday.

City members, Holy Cross student athletes and staff celebrate on the artificial turf that is also available for use by the community. The Holy Cross’s football team began in 2003. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project cost $3.7 million and sports such as field hockey, football, track and field, rugby and more are played at the complex.

Upgrades include an artificial turf field converting from natural grass. Night lighting, improving track and field features, such as high jump, long jump, and resurfacing the eight-lane track surrounding the field. New pathways and upgraded spectator seating improve the accessibility of the facility.

“To have the field here for all our rugby practices and games, it's awesome,” said Sophie McLean, Grade 11 student and girls’ rugby player.

“For my whole high school career, it's always been at a different school because our field has been at work,” said Eli McColl, HCSS senior student trustee and HCSS quarterback. “It finally feels amazing to be stepping at home and bring our teams here and show them what Holy Cross really is.”

@ptbo_canada

This is what $3.7 million dollars looks like! Awesome new field you have Holy Cross Secondary School!

♬ Rock 'n' Roll (Part 2) - Gary Glitter

The joint project was led by the city and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB).

Mayor Diane Therrien, Councillor Leslie Parnell and school board officials were in attendance to briefly speak on the official opening.

“We have been watching the construction of this new state-of-the art track and field at Holy Cross CSS with much excitement,” said Joan Carragher, PVNC Director of Education. “We are thrilled that the track is now officially open and we look forward to seeing students and staff using these facilities to the fullest this upcoming school year and for many years to come.”

“Being a father of four daughters who are all involved in athletics, I know that some of the greatest lessons are learned on the sports field,” said David Bernier, PVNCCDSB Chair.

“The new artificial turf field and track amenities are top-notch. This is an exciting project that will greatly improve sports and recreation facilities for the Peterborough community, PVNC students. Artificial turf fields allow us to expand the sports season and add to our “sport’s hub” for sports tourism and local tournaments,” said Parnell. “Artificial fields present savings in terms of annual operating costs as they only need to be raked once weekly and do not need watering or fertilizing.”

Mayor Diane Therrien was one of several speakers that attended the ceremony. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The artificial turf also has safety advantages that the coaches and players have experienced on other fields.

“You're getting consistency in turf like this. It is an aggressive surface. It moves faster but there are no potholes for you to fall into,” said Geoff McKinley, HCSS boys football coach. “Things that we're working on with the athletes are acceleration and deceleration to make sure that they're minimizing injuries but you're not dealing with things that you can't control that can happen on a grass field and the maintenance that goes with that.”

“It gives you the opportunity to cut in and out, make those runs and those passes that you need to make,” said McColl. “It gives you the opportunity to shine as an athlete and shows your full potential as well.”

The facility was available to permit beginning July 19 with community sports groups using it throughout the summer and on evenings and weekends in the fall.

Holy Cross CSS has been using the facility since the beginning of the school year. Community sports teams can contact 705-742-7777 ext. 1829 for current permit information.

The first game played on the field since its opening was girls’ rugby as the Holy Cross Hurricanes hosted the Campbellford District Flames on Tuesday.

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UPDATE: A $90 Million Sports Complex Called Kawartha Centre Is In The Works In Peterborough's West End

[UPDATE: April 28th -> A $90 million sports complex called Kawartha Centre will not be built now apparently. Below is the release from Navigator's John MacDonald...

As a result of the decision made by Peterborough City Council, Navigator will not pursue the development of the Kawartha Centre as a sport tourism/entertainment project. Instead, Navigator will seek other development opportunities for the site on the North West corner of Clonsilla Avenue at Lansdowne Street West.

Navigator’s President, John MacDonald states that he is disappointed with Council’s decision, “After speaking with seven of ten Councillors prior to the meeting, they indicated they would support a continued dialogue regarding the Kawartha Centre proposal and consider the option of a Public-Private Partnership.”

Navigator’s vision for Kawartha Centre was to create a state-of-the-art facility that combines a sports complex with an entertainment venue and a convention centre in the heart of Peterborough.

Regardless of what facilities are housed on site, Navigator addressed the need and community desire to create a recreation complex that caters to multiple sports. The facility could have been state-of-the-art in terms of what it provides and how it is designed. It would respect the natural environment surrounding the facility and would be representative of the elements that have come to be identifiers of Peterborough: sport community and tourism.

The development of Kawartha Centre would have been overseen by Navigator which is experienced in significant development projects. Navigator would use a collaborative and open book formula to create a guaranteed fixed-price for construction, financing, leasing and ongoing management.

Before making Kawartha Centre public on April 16, Mr. MacDonald met with the Mayor and individual Councillors to discuss the concept. Based on the enthusiastic response from 8 of 11 members of Council, Mr. MacDonald proceeded to prepare a proposal for presentation to the citizens of Peterborough, with the understanding that Kawartha Centre should or could be included in further discussions of the twin pad/sport tourism complex.

Prior to the Council meeting of April 27th Mr. MacDonald had individual conversations with most Councillors, at which time seven agreed to support the addendum presented to Council as follows:

Navigator is asking City Council to consider the following addendum to the motion on report CSD15-004: That in addition to the staff recommendations a, c, d, e, g, h and i, in the Arena Development Report CSD15-004: Staff will work with Navigator so that the developer may bring forward a business plan to Council for consideration in the coming months. And that until such time, staff not rule out the option for a private –public partnership.

In his presentation to Council on April 27th Mr. MacDonald made it clear the development of the Business Plan would be at no cost to the City. Navigator would be looking to work with the City of Peterborough to make Kawartha Centre the Sport Tourism Destination for the region.
After further consideration of Council’s decision and the lack of support to explore a public-private partnership that could see significant infrastructure investment in Peterborough, Navigator will pursue the alternative uses envisioned for the site.

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ORIGINAL POST

Photo via KawarthaCentre.ca

A $90-million sports complex featuring a twin pad arena, sports fields, swimming pool, retail and a hotel and convention centre is in the works at the corner of Clonsilla Avenue and Lansdowne Street.

Named Kawartha Centre, the developer Navigator will be bringing plans forward to develop the site. The proposed development addresses the need and community desire to create a recreation complex that caters to multiple sports.

“We have been in conversation with representatives from Peterborough’s Sports community. There is significant interest and opportunity to build this type of facility in Peterborough,” says John S. MacDonald, President of Navigator.

Photo via KawarthaCentre.ca

Plans for the property show the 22.54 acre property in proximity to Peterborough’s largest power shopping node on Lansdowne Street and gateway into the downtown. The site is accessible to public transit and metres from The Parkway.

“Kawartha Centre is positioned to attract tournaments, entertainment events and conferences to Peterborough. We estimate that once built, the site will generate $50-60 million annually in tourism spending,” MacDonald says in a release.

Photo via KawarthaCentre.ca

Although Kawartha Centre is a private development, Navigator will be looking to work with the City of Peterborough to make Kawartha Centre the Sport Tourism Destination for the region. The next step for Kawartha Centre is to complete a formal business plan in the coming months. Through public and private partnerships however, MacDonald says Kawartha Centre will be built at a minimal cost to the City in both operating and capital expenses.

Navigator purchased the Kawartha Centre property from Kawartha Golf and Country Club, who deemed the property as excess land after undergoing a Revitalization Review.

Navigator has more than 30 years of real estate development, finance and marketing experience. Its President John S. MacDonald has been involved in a number of significant projects, including Kawartha Glen, Costco Peterborough and Peterborough EMS.

For more info on the project, click here.

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