2019 Novel Coronavirus

Waterloo Region – Earlier this week, the Province of Ontario declared a second state of emergency and issued stay-at-home orders that went into effect Thursday. Waterloo Region cities and townships continue to work together with local police, public health officials and the Region of Waterloo to meet the new provincial public health measures and to communicate stay-at-home orders.

To view the full media release for more information - Local municipalities adjust operations as provincial stay-at-home orders take effect

Essential services, such as, but not limited to, winter control/snow clearance, watermains, municipal enforcement services, building inspections, cemetery services and planning approvals will continue.

To view the full media release for more information - Township services impacted by provincial lockdown

To view the full media release for more information - Region of Waterloo under 28 day Province-wide Shutdown

Media Release - Region Wide - Recreation & Community Centres - UPDATED - With Waterloo Region now in the Red-Control category of the Provincial framework, the cities and townships continue to work together with local Public Health to meet the new Provincial regulations for the operation of our recreation facilities and community centres.

To view the full media release for more information - Waterloo Region - Recreation Facilities - Moves into Red-Control Category of the Provincial Framework - UPDATED 

Media Release - Region Wide - Recreation & Community Centres - With Waterloo Region now in the Red-Control category of the Provincial framework, the cities and townships continue to work together with local Public Health to meet the new Provincial regulations for the operation of our recreation facilities and community centres.

To view the full media release for more information - Waterloo Region - Recreation Facilities - Moves into Red-Control Category of the Provincial Framework 

Waterloo Region - Today the Province of Ontario announced that the Region of Waterloo will move into the Red-Control category of the Provincial framework at 12:01 a.m. on Monday November 23, 2020.  

To view the full media release for more information - Waterloo Region Moves into Red-Control Category of the Provincial Framework 

October 28, 2020 - As we continue to meet the challenges of the pandemic, we recognize how important city and township recreational facilities are to participants and families. Facility staff are focused on providing a safe and healthy environment, and depend on everyone to follow the safety protocols in place. The cities and townships of Waterloo Region have worked together to standardize the protocols for recreation facilities and community centres as much as possible to ensure consistency and help everyone understand the rules.

View the full media release for more information - Safe Recreation guidelines in Waterloo Region: Check Before Your Rec!

June 19, 2020 - The Elmira Splash Pad will reopen on Monday, July 6, 2020 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven (7) days per week (weather permitting). The Township is also pleased to announce that day camps will be offered in Elmira and Breslau starting July 6, 2020 as permitted by Provincial Orders. 

View the full media release for more information - Woolwich Township plans to reopen the Elmira Splash Pad and offer day camps starting July 6, 2020.

June 11, 2020 - In alignment with Phase 2 of Ontario's Framework for re-opening the Province and the June 8 provincial announcement permitting the opening of additional Township amenities and facilities, the Township of Woolwich and other local municipalities will gradually re-open some facilities in the days and weeks ahead.

View the full media release for more information - Township to gradually reopen some community amenities in line with Province's Stage 2 announcement.

June 10, 2020 - The Township of Woolwich will be cancelling all in-person arts and culture events this summer, including the annual Canada Day festivities that take place in Gore Park, Elmira.  This is in support of physical distancing guidelines to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

View the full media release for more information - Woolwich Township to cancel all in person arts and culture events this summer.

June 4, 2020 - On May 12, 2020 Council approved an application-based property tax deferral program aimed to assist residents and businesses who will need more time to pay their 2020 Final Tax Bill.

View the full media release for more information - Final Property Tax Deferral Program Application Now Available

May 27, 2020 - The Region and area municipalities are making tentative plans to begin reopening their administrative buildings and City/Township halls to the public in the coming weeks.

View the full media release for more information - Region and area municipalities making plans to reopen administrative buildings

May 20, 2020 - In alignment with the May 14 and May 19 provincial announcements permitting the opening of outdoor recreational amenities, the following Township of Woolwich outdoor recreational amenities including sports fields (for non-team use only i.e. running / walking) dog parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, skateboard park, picnic shelters and benches will reopen to the public: Friday, May 22nd, 2020.  

View the full media release for more information - Woolwich Township to reopen some outdoor recreational amenities.

May 14, 2020 - The Region of Waterloo and area municipalities are relaxing some restrictive measures at parks, trails, and open spaces as part of a careful and cautious approach to expanding access to the outdoors amid the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

View the full media release for more information - Area municipalities relax rules at parks and open spaces.

May 14, 2020 - Woolwich Township Council approved extending immediate short-term economic relief measures to support residents and businesses for an additional 30 days.

View the full media release for more information - Township Extends Financial and Economic Supports

May 4, 2020 - On April 25, 2020, the Ontario Government announced new amendments to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that permit the use of community gardens across the province.

View the full media release for more information - Woolwich Township Community Gardens to Re-Open

May 1, 2020 - Woolwich Township, in conjunction with the Grand River Conservation Authority (the GRCA), remind residents that the following parks and trails in Woolwich are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Snyder’s Flats Conservation Area
• West Montrose Covered Bridge
• Mill Race Trail

View the full media release for more information - Parks and Trails in Woolwich Township Closed During COVID-19 Pandemic

May 1, 2020 - The Township of Woolwich, along with area municipalities across the Region of Waterloo, wish to remind residents to keep safety top of mind this Victoria Day.

View the full media release for more information - Residents Encouraged to Keep Safety Top of Mind this Victoria Day.

April 29, 2020 - As another step in their coordinated emergency response to the global pandemic, today, the Region of Waterloo and all area municipalities extended the public closure of municipal administrative and operations facilities until at least May 31

View the full media release for more information - Area Municipalities Extend Closure of Municipal Administrative and Operations Facilities

April 15, 2020 - Woolwich Township, in collaboration with local municipalities; have agreed to cancel all spring indoor and outdoor municipal recreation programs throughout the region up to and including June 30, 2020.

View the full media release for more information - Woolwich Township Extends Municipal Program and Facility Cancellations to June 30, 2020.

April 14, 2020 - Woolwich Township, in collaboration with its event partners, announced that all Township-affiliated events and festivals, as well as all third-party events and festivals held on Township property, have been cancelled up to and including June 30, 2020.

View the full media release for more information - Woolwich Township Cancels Events and Festivals Until June 30, 2020

April 1, 2020 - As another step in their coordinated emergency response to the global pandemic, today, the Region of Waterloo and all area municipalities extended the public closure of municipal facilities until at least May 4.

View the full media release for more information - Area municipalities extend closure of facilities, cancellation of programs and events

March 27, 2020 - In an effort to help with potential financial pressures facing Woolwich residents and businesses, the Woolwich Council approved immediate financial flexibility for residents and businesses.

View the full media release for more information - Woolwich Township Council approves Financial Flexibility

Today, the Region of Waterloo, and all seven area municipalities, declared States of Emergency in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

View the full media release for more information - Region of Waterloo and local municipalities declare States of Emergency

March 20, 2020 - In an effort to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, the regional municipalities are taking steps to close our outdoor playgrounds and skateboard parks.

View the full media release for more information - Playgrounds Closed Across the Region to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

March 17, 2020 - Waterloo Region area municipalities continue to monitor and respond to COVID-19 and follow the recommendations of the federal, provincial and regional public health authorities in making changes to protect the wellbeing of residents and workers. As a precaution during the evolving global pandemic, over the next 24 hours area municipalities will be closing all remaining municipal facilities to the public up to and including April 5.

View the full media release for more information - All Remaining Municipal Facilities to Close to the Public

March 15, 2020 - Based on recommendations received by the Region’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, the Region of Waterloo and all area municipalities have made the decision to close all municipally run cultural and recreation centres from March 16 – April 5, 2020.

View the full media for more information - Facility Closures and Program Cancellations

March 13, 2020 - As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the health and wellbeing of our community remains our top priority. We continue to work closely with the Region of Waterloo Public Health and the Region Wide Pandemic Control Group to monitor the most current information and take appropriate action consistent with their input and direction.

View the full media release - Woolwich Statement.

Projects that are starting new or are a continuation of a previous year’s work were considered critical through the Township’s asset management and project planning procedures to maintain functionality of the road, sewer and water systems. It is important that these works continue in order to avoid falling behind and potentially experiencing breakdowns and loss of service.

More specific information for each project will be provided to affected homes and businesses in each construction area by mail, email and/or on the Township’s website.

At this time, we do not anticipate that anyone will need to access your home or business in most cases. Should the need for access arise, we will provide as much prior notice as possible and make necessary arrangements to complete the work in a manner consistent with current Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Should you receive a request from a contractor to access your home or business and you have concerns, please contact the Township’s project manager responsible for the specific project in your area.

Contact information for the Township’s Project Manager will be included on any notices that you receive and is available on the Township’s website or by calling the Township at 519-669-1647.

Contractors working for the Township will employ policies and procedures to protect the health and wellness of workers and the community in general as part of their project specific Health and Safety Plan. Contractors will adjust these policies and procedures as Federal, Provincial and Regional guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic issued change. At a minimum, there will be worker monitoring and sanitation measures in place, physical separation will be maintained whenever possible and additional personal protective equipment (PPE) will be used, if required. Any workers that have symptoms or are otherwise not feeling well will be staying home and following current public health procedures. Interactions between contractors and the public will not generally be required in order for the contractor to perform their construction activities. Where direct communications with the public are necessary, contractors will follow policies and procedures that align with current guidelines in place at that time.

We remind everyone that staying as far away from work areas as possible is always a good idea. With our community’s children home from school during the day we would especially like to remind parents and caregivers that children must avoid playing in or around any work site. The contractors will be reminding anyone who gets too close to the work area to keep a safe distance away.