Toronto deputy mayor issues letter urging Ford to reopen golf courses, tennis courts
Posted April 27, 2021 1:45 pm.
Toronto’s deputy mayor is calling for Doug Ford to reconsider and subsequently reverse the shuttering of golf courses and other outdoor and recreational amenities.
In a letter issued to the Premier, Councillor Stephen Holyday says he supports the reopening of these outdoor services, including golf courses and tennis courts, when it is safe to do so.
“Outdoor activities are healthy, and are lower risk for the spread of COVID-19,” said Holyday.
“… Not all sports have the same risks and some, such as golf and tennis, allow for independent play and safe spatial separation outdoors. For this reason, there may be an opportunity to gradually open up certain outdoor recreational activities while maintaining controls in place where they are needed.”
The process of shutting down outdoor amenities began last week in Toronto in what carried out to be a week-long process.
The province has already backtracked on the decision to close all playgrounds but soccer fields, tennis courts, and other outdoor recreation facilities remain closed.
Signs have popped up at some facilities, including basketball courts, with nets altered, locked, or removed altogether to discourage residents from using them.
The nets on the basketball court at Parkdale Collegiate are padlocked to discourage use as Ontario tightens restrictions to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toronto has also put up signs at other fields & courts indicating the closure is due to provincial order. #ONpoli pic.twitter.com/HV2GhZ6Arw
— Steve Russell (@SteveRussell) April 26, 2021
“Etobicoke residents have access to ten golf courses, four of which are in Ward 2, and three more share our border. These courses serve thousands of residents, and I have heard from many recently who are looking forward to playing once again,” Holyday added.
“Providing safe opportunities to engage in sport and recreation provides critical opportunities to help with our physical and mental health. Safe recreation options help ensure citizens make the right choices and leads us on a path to a familiar life once again.”
Dr. Peter Juni, scientific director of Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table, has said advisors never suggested to Ontario’s cabinet that outdoor facilities should close to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“Look, what we know is that we estimate, and this is just an estimate, that outdoor activities are probably roughly 20 times safer than indoor activities,” Juni told the CBC last week.
RELATED: Halton mayors call for review of banned outdoor activities
Juni revealed that he nearly resigned after the province announced a set of restrictions that included closing many outdoor amenities.
“When it comes to the outdoor spaces it’s actually the opposite of what we were pointing to.”
Halton Region mayors also recently spoke out on the matter, saying they stand with the province’s COVID-19 science advisory table in supporting sick pay and encouraging safe outdoor activity while accelerating vaccines for essential workers.
The inclusion of playgrounds in the new public health measures introduced by the province was ultimately short-lived.
Premier Ford took to Twitter to announce that the restrictions surrounding playgrounds would be reversed, saying “enhanced restrictions were always intended to stop large gatherings where spread can happen.”
The move to repeal the playground closures came after a number of municipal leaders, along with parents and medical professionals questioned the government’s decision.
Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries is responsible for outdoor amenities in Ontario.
