Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Impacts on Municipal Services
The Town of Penetanguishene continues to monitor news and updates concerning COVID-19 in order to ensure we work to keep our community members safe. The Town is working hard to open areas that have been closed and affected by the COVID-19 regulations in keeping with Phase 1 & 2 and 3 of the provincial re-opening. To make sure you as community members can stay involved and up to date we encourage you to subscribe to our website email subscription service.
Contact the Town: We encourage residents to reach out to Town Staff with questions and/or concerns. A full staff directory with email and phone numbers for specific departments is listed here. Please clearly leave your name, address, phone # and email address and a detailed message on the purpose of your call, to ensure that the appropriate Staff member can respond to your voicemail.
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATES
Reminder - Section of Rotary Park to be Temporally Closed for Maintenance:
The Town of Penetanguishene Recreation and Community Services Department would like to advise residents that a section of Rotary Champlain Wendat Park will be closed on Thursday July 23 from approximately 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be onsite to replace and upgrade 2 navigational aids in the park as well as complete location maintenance. Please see the full details and map here.
Community Ambassadors: Job Posting
The Town is currently recruiting Community Ambassadors. Interested parties should submit their resume and cover letter to hr@penetanguishene.ca or visit our webpage for more information. These Town employees will be providing public education on provincial directives related to the pandemic to those using municipal facilities and monitoring the splash pad. Ambassadors will not have the capacity to issue tickets related to non-compliance however will be equipped with appropriate reporting tools.
Swimming Advisory: Huronia Park
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has issued a swimming advisory for Huronia Park. The beaches are not closed, but those who chose to swim are advised to avoid swallowing the water and dunking their heads underwater. For more information on swimming advisories please visit SMDHU.
Full List of Open/Closed Amenities:
The following chart is available on our webpage and will be updated regularly.
|
Indoor Facilities |
Open/Closed |
Safety Measures in Place |
|
Town Hall |
CLOSED – Town Hall will be re-opening Monday, July 27th. The full re-opening information will be available next week.
|
|
|
Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Achieves |
CLOSED until further notice – In Review |
|
|
Penetanguishene Library |
OPEN – Adjusted hours. |
View here for hours of operation and other information. |
|
Public Works Building
|
CLOSED – Public Works Admin Building will be re-opening Monday, July 27th. The full re-opening information will be available next week. |
|
|
Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre |
CLOSED until further notice |
|
|
Penetanguishene Fire Hall |
CLOSED – The Fire Hall will be re-opening Monday, July 27th. The full re-opening information will be available next week. |
|
|
Outdoor Facilities |
Open/Closed |
Safety Measures in Place |
|
Parks and Trails |
OPEN |
|
|
Skate Park |
OPEN |
|
|
Playgrounds |
OPEN |
|
|
Washrooms |
OPEN |
|
|
Beaches |
OPEN Please note: The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has issued a swimming advisory for Huronia Park
|
|
|
Splash Pad |
OPEN
|
|
|
Sports Courts: Pickle Ball, Tennis, Basketball and Bocce Ball Courts |
OPEN |
|
|
Boat Launch |
OPEN
|
|
|
Wharf |
OPEN Please note until further notice; Tourist Information Centre and showers remain closed.
|
|
|
Sports fields |
OPEN |
|
|
Dog Park |
OPEN |
|
|
Pavilions & Gazebos |
OPEN
|
|
|
Amphitheatre |
CLOSED |
|
|
Fitness Equipment |
CLOSED |
PLANNING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Business Assistance Programs:
North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation (NSCFDC) under a Regional Relief and Recovery Fund: NSCFDC will focus on assisting “main street” businesses, such as retail shops, restaurants, corner stores, and businesses of strategic importance to their communities, with loans up to $40,000. https://nscfdc.on.ca/_en/RRRFProgram
Recently available for Penetanguishene businesses is access to the Digital Main Street Program who give assistance and consultation to business to assist in using digital technology. Contact the Southern Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) for more information by telephone at: 705-446-3355 or by email at sbec@collingwood.ca.
Ask an Expert: “Ask an Expert" is a series to assist businesses and organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This series will feature experts on topics such as Health and Safety, HR, Accounting, Marketing, Business Planning, Legal and Mental Health as well as a Q&A session. To register for the next session, July 23rd or watch the YouTube recordings please visit: https://www.simcoe.ca/askanexpert
FINANCE UPDATES
On July 8, Council approved additional COVID-19 financial relief measures for property tax and utility bill payments. Penalties on the 3rd and 4th tax installments due on July 31 and September 30 have been waived for 2 months. Penalties on utility bills that fall due between August 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020, are also waived for 2 months. In addition, NSF charges have been waived until December 31, 2020.
Notice of 2020 Final Tax Billing
Final Tax Bills were mailed the week of July 6, 2020. The installment due dates are:
- Friday, July 31, 2020
- Wednesday, September 30,2020
Notice of 2020 Quarterly Utility Billing
The 2nd quarter utility bills for the period April to June were mailed the week of July 13, 2020 and electronic bills sent to those customers who signed up for e-billing. Payment is due by:
- Thursday, August 13, 2020
If you do not receive your Tax or Utility Bill, please call the Town office at 705-549-7453. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the property owner from the responsibility for payment of Taxes or Utilities and any accrued penalties or interest. For payment options, please call the Town office or visit www.penetanguishene.ca.
FIRE AND OPP UPDATES
OPP Reporting Tool:
We remind residents that OPP ask that you report allegations of non-compliance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act by phoning 1-888-310-1122 or utilizing the online reporting tool at opp.ca/reporting.
Fire Safety:
Fire permits are not required at this time. Please remember that fires are for recreational purposes and are only permitted between 4:00 pm to midnight.