Winnipeg, MB – The City of Winnipeg is opening 18 of its 21 stand-alone spray pads beginning Wednesday, June 3, in accordance with the Province of Manitoba’s Restoring Safe Services plan.
The following City spray pads will open beginning on June 3:
- Central Park
- Fort Rouge
- Freight House
- Gateway
- Jill Officer Park
- Lindenwoods
- Lindsey Wilson Park
- Machray Park
- Park City West
- Provencher Park
- River Heights
- St. Norbert
- Sturgeon Heights
- Valley Gardens
- Vimy Ridge Memorial Park
- Waverley Heights
- West Kildonan
- Westdale
The spray pads can be used free of charge, and will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., including statutory holidays. Old Ex and St. James Assiniboia Centennial spray pads will not be opening at this time, as these facilities are still being used by the Province of Manitoba for COVID-19 testing sites. The Shaughnessy Spray Pad’s opening date has not been determined at this time due to required maintenance work.
Residents are reminded that the use of the spray pads is at their own risk. The City will not be sanitizing spray pads and on-site washrooms will not be available for use. Social distancing is still required and individuals must maintain a distance of at least two metres from every other individual; however, this does not apply to people who can demonstrate that they are living together in the same household. Residents are asked to avoid using the spray pads if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.
The City will also be opening three libraries on Monday, June 8, for holds pick-up service only – Millennium, Henderson, and Pembina Trail libraries. Phase Two of reopening libraries, anticipated to occur in July, will include expanded services such as checkout and returns at additional library branches and will be implemented after Phase One is assessed.
To continue reintroducing more library and recreation programs, the Community Service Ambassador program will cease operations effective Saturday, June 6. The program was initially introduced on April 11, whereby redeployed staff from the Community Services Department provided information on COVID-19 in an effort to encourage voluntary compliance with Public Health orders, as well as City orders, in City parks.
As the Province continues to reduce restrictions within public places, it has been determined that these employees can return to their department and begin working on plans for re-opening libraries and recreation. By-Law Enforcement Officers will still be available to enforce City orders in City parks.