With the province lifting capacity limits for sports and recreation facilities, the County is working to reduce the wait times for fully vaccinated patrons entering the Wellington and District Community Centre and the Prince Edward Community Centre.
People can now present their enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code. The municipality will use the Verify Ontario app to quickly verify vaccine certificates. While use of an enhanced vaccine certificate is encouraged, vaccine receipts without a QR code remain valid and will continue to be accepted by the municipality.
People will need to continue to show a piece of identification with their name and date of birth along with their proof of vaccination. Visit the Government of Ontario website to download your vaccine certificate. If you do not have a computer, a photo health card, or need help, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1.833.943.3900 to request a copy of your vaccine certificate by email or mail.
To further speed up the verification process, the municipality will have security staff at both arenas to assist during high volume periods such as junior hockey games, men’s league games, and on weekends.
Under provincial regulations, proof of vaccination status is required for recreation facility patrons 18 years and older, including parents or guardians of youth actively participating in an organized sport. All staff working at the recreation centres are vaccinated.
Coaches, officials, and volunteers aged 12 and older associated with indoor organized sports must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This requirement is the result of a Letter of Instruction issued by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH).
Patrons under 18 years of age who are entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport do not have to show proof of vaccination. This applies to training, practices, games and competitions. The exemption does not apply to youth who are spectators at sporting events; furthermore, it does not apply to youth who are using a gym or other area with exercise equipment or weights unless actively participating in an organized sport.
The County plans on reintroducing public skating and individual ice rentals later this fall. Details about ice time availability will be announced in the coming weeks once the ice allocation process for organized sports is complete.
For more information, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 extension 1023, 613.962.9108 extension 1023, or info@pecounty.on.ca.