Our community will be forever changed as a result of the COVID-19 virus. While the impacts have been felt across all areas of the Town, some municipal work and parts of our community are feeling pressures far greater than others.
As we move ahead and look forward in our continued response to the COVID-19 emergency and plan for our new reality, these areas require extra consideration, attention and problem solving. There will be a significant change to the way the Town delivers these particular services due to the profound impacts that will continue as we manage this pandemic in Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Page last updated: February 28, 2022 (afternoon & evening)
IMPORTANT LINKS
As of March 21, the Town of Stouffville will no longer require patrons entering Town facilities to wear a mask or face covering in accordance with the Provincial measures announced on March 9. While masks and face coverings are no longer mandated by Public Health, the Town recognizes the importance of personal choice and encourages those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask in public settings to continue to do so.
Visitors are encouraged to self-screen for symptoms prior to entering any Town building. Patrons should remain vigilant and stay home if they are sick until their symptoms subside.
Under the provincial regulations, masks will continue to be mandatory in high-risk and congregate settings including public transit, long-term care and retirement homes, health-care settings, congregate care settings, shelters and jails under provincial regulation.
Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on the virus, visit York Region’s website at york.ca/COVID19.
REOPENING
The Roadmap to Reopen is a three-step plan specified by the province of Ontario to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures.
The plan is based on:
Effective January 31, 2022
Effective February 17, 2022
Effective March 1, 2022
The following changes to public health and workplace safety measures are in effect as of March 1, 2022. For the full list of measures in effect, see O. Reg. 364/20.
FACILITY / PROGRAM
OPENING DATE
Leisure Centre – including Library, Art Gallery, Customer Service
Museum & Community Centre
In person Museum programs
Virtual and online programs at the Museum
Virtual and online recreation programs
Lebovic Centre for the Performing Arts (“19 on the Park”)
Clippers Arena – both pads
Latcham Hall
Fitness Centre
Gymnasium Program – Leisure Centre
Pool
Stouffville Arena
6240 Main Street / 55+ Club
Ballantrae Community Centre
Lemonville Community Centre
SoccerCity
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Please be sure to check townofws.ca/whatsnew to stay up to date on the roll-out of all leisure re-openings and to register for programs.
OPEN
SERVICES OPERATING / AVAILABLE
CURRENTLY CLOSED
PROGRAM / SERVICE NOT OPERATING
UPCOMING EVENTS
CANCELLED
PROGRAM/SERVICE IMPACTS
All general inquiries will be handed by Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Customer Service Centre. We are available by telephone (905-640-1900) or email (customer.service@townofws.ca) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. For municipal emergency service outside these hours, please call 905-640-1900 ext. 0 and follow the prompts for our after-hours service
Most outdoor recreation amenities that are not closed for the season, are open. Open outdoor areas may be used by individuals, or a group of up to 25 people (effective January 31, 2022). Town trails are open. For a complete list, see the Summary posted above.
Recreation facilities are now open, including in-person fitness, group fitness, aquatics and gymnasium programs.
Residents are asked to visit our website at townofws.ca/active for more information about programs.
Residents are asked to call the Leisure Center at (905) 642-7529 or email leisure.services@townofws.ca for details.
Please see the list of facilities above for the opening dates. If a facility is not listed, they will remain closed.
The Museum is currently open. For more information, please contact the Museum at wsmuseum@townofws.ca or 1 (905) 727-8954.
The museum will also continue to bring you a variety of Learn From Home options at townofws.ca/museum. Visit L4A.ca to view the virtual exhibit, Archaeology Alive: The Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site in Whitchurch-Stouffville. See the exhibit in-person until August 21th.
You will also find regular posts from the Museum on @WSMuseum on Facebook – posts include historic photos and local stories. For further information about rentals or research appointments and donations, please contact wsmuseum@townofws.ca or 1 (905) 727-8954.
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library is open to the public with restricted capacity. Items can still be placed on hold using the library catalogue and customers will be notified when they can come pick them up. The library’s external book return is open 24/7.
The Library is open on the following days and times:
For up to date information, please visit the Library’s website at www.wsplibrary.ca
The Latcham Art Centre is open to the public, but is running in-person, outdoor programs.
For up to date information, please visit Latcham’s website at latchamartcentre.ca
Please send all By-Law enforcement inquiries by phone or email only. By-Law will not be setting up meetings or facilitating tickets in person, however, it can be done by phone, online or email. By-Law will be reviewing all complaints as to whether it is safe to attend that particular property and/or meet with property owners.
Parking bylaws are still being enforced. If any residents have any By-Law questions, please call 905 640 1910 (ex. 2229) or Customer Service at (905) 640-1900.
Animal Services’ calls will be responded to case by case. Our shelter has been shut down to the public therefore we will no longer be able to take in domestic animals. We would like to remind residents to be extra diligent at this time to ensure that their pets are not at large. Also, if your dog does not have a dog tag it is highly recommended that you purchase one now. Dog tags can be purchased at townofws.ca/dogtags
Whitchurch-Stouffville shares animal adoption services with Pickering. Their animal shelter is still closed to the public, however, their adoption program is open. Anyone interested in adopting an animal is encouraged to visit www.pickering.ca/petadoption. If you see an animal of interest, complete the online adoption application form. The application forms are reviewed by staff and a phone interview and/or virtual chat takes place.
The Town continues to accept building and planning applications and customers can drop non-confidential plans and relevant information in the drop-box at Town Hall. Due to construction, the drop-box is now located near the entrance next to the York Regional Police office. All meetings with external clients will be converted to conference calls. We will continue to schedule and conduct building and engineering inspections on unoccupied buildings and inspections that are outside (open-air) only.
For more information about the effect of COVID-19 on Planning Division procedures, visit the dedicated COVID-19 updates page for planning. For more detailed information about building permit applications and inspections, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 page.
All emergency services provided by the Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire & Emergency Services will remain uninterrupted. All public education events have or will be cancelled until further notice, including school visits and station tours. All non-essential fire prevention activities have also been cancelled or postponed. The Fire Prevention Division will still be responding to requests and/or complaints that involve immediate threat to life. Burn permits are still available online on the Town’s website. Fire Station 5-1 and Fire Station 5-2 remain closed to the public.
Our on-call Operator is available through the Town’s after hour service at (905) 640-1900. Down stop signs, flooding, trees that have fallen across roads/sidewalks will be dealt with immediately. Other road activities such as tree trimming, pothole patching, will continue. Winter maintenance activities of roads, sidewalks and municipal parking lots will continue and be conducted as required.
Water quality sampling will continue as per Provincial regulations and water/wastewater emergencies such as breaks and backups, will be dealt with immediately. Water/wastewater Operators will not be entering private homes, however, they will respond to investigate the municipal infrastructure and advise residents to contact a private plumber for internal investigations. Routine water/wastewater activities will continue. Further inquiries should be directed to Customer Service at (905) 640-1900.
Solid waste collection and recycling will continue as usual. Inquiries should be directed to Green For Life (GFL) Customer Service at 1-866-421-5625.
EVENTS STATUS
Details about the 2022 Strawberry Festival will be announced later this year.
The Strawberry Festival takes place over the Canada Day weekend and is run for the benefit of our community – all the Festival organized entertainment and kids’ activities are free. From the festival market, to inflatables, live entertainment, the food zone, pancake breakfast, the Red Berry Café, fireworks and all the fun in between – it’s a weekend where thousands come to participate and enjoy, and it takes place in the heart of Stouffville in Memorial Park. For more information, please visit strawberryfestival.ca
Details about the 2022 Stouffville RibFest will be announced later this year.
For further event information, please contact events@townofws.ca or go to: townofws.ca/events
Details about the 2022 Art in the Park will be announced later this year.
For more event information head to: townofws.ca/artinthepark or follow @TWSEvents on Facebook.
Details about the 2022 Food Truck Frenzies will be announced later this year.
Food Truck Frenzy allows you to experience Food Trucks from across the GTA in our own Memorial Park. You will enjoy bands and entertainment as you sample dishes from over 20 different vendors.
Details about the 2022 Farmers Market will be announced later this year.
Details about the 2022 Mayor’s Bike & BBQ will be announced later this year.
Details about the 2022 Antique & Classic Car Show will be announced later this year.
Details about the 2022 Movies in the Park will be announced later this year.