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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.