City opening 10 outdoor pools in Toronto this weekend, launching new online booking system
It is going to feel a lot more like summer in the city this weekend with the reopening of patios and 10 city-run outdoor pools.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor John Tory announced that this weekend, the city will be opening 10 outdoor swimming pools weeks ahead of schedule.
The move comes as Ontario prepares to reopen parts of the economy, including patios and non-essential retail, on Friday following a months-long provincewide lockdown due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Ordinarily none of them (outdoor pools) would be opening up until towards the end of the month," Tory said.
"I'm so glad that we can safely open some of the city's outdoor pools, wading pools, and splash pads for everyone to enjoy."
The 10 pools, which include the Sunnyside Gus Ryder facility, will open on Saturday, Tory said, and the remaining outdoor pools will reopen for the season on June 19.
Starting this year, the city will also offer swimmers the option to book a 45-minute time slot through an online reservation system. Reservations can be made starting Thursday and new time slots will be released every Thursday throughout the summer.
Some spaces will be reserved at pools on a first-come, first served basis for those who don't have easy access to a computer.
Capacity at all outdoor pools will be reduced to 25 per cent to allow for adequate physical distancing.
"Staff have worked closely with Toronto Public Health to make sure there are guidelines in place to ensure that people can swim safely at all of Toronto's pools," Tory said.
Outdoor pools will close for the season after the Labour Day weekend.
Here is a list of the 10 outdoor pools that will open on June 12:
Alex Duff – 779 Crawford St.
Monarch Park Pool – 115 Felstead Ave.
Heron Park CC – 292 Manse Rd.
Grandravine CC – 23 Grandravine Dr.
McGregor CC – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
Parkway Forest CC – 59 Forest Manor Rd.
Pine Point – 15 Grierson Rd.
Riverdale Park – 550 Broadview Ave.
Sunnyside-Gus Ryder – 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
West Mall – 380 The West Mall
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.