Public swims and aquatics programming were offered through the summer, however, a new booking system and health & safety protocols were put in place to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

Please note that all pools are now closed for the 2020 season.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County incorporated a new way of operating pools, including:

• Reducing bather loads to 25% to comply with social distancing and social ‘bubble’ (up to ten family members or people with whom you live/socialize regularly) requirements;
• Incorporating new sanitization and cleaning protocols in keeping with HNHU recommendations;
• Advance reservations for recreational (public/fitness) swims and registration for instructional programming through the County’s online booking system;
• Participant arrival at the pool 20-30 minutes before the start of a reservation/registered program for sign-in and screening and to ensure participants benefit from maximum available swim time;
• Participants showered and dressed for swim prior to sign-in (i.e. at home); dressing rooms will not be available to change;
• Leaving valuables at home as participants will have to bring and leave their items on the pool deck during their swim;
• Public/fitness swim reservations will be 45 minutes of swim time, followed by 15 minutes to clean/sanitize the pool for the next group of participants;
• Walk-ups will only be considered if space is available; and,
• Social distancing protocols must be adhered to by participants before, during and after swims.

Splash pads in Hagersville and Caledonia will remain open from 8am to 8pm until the end of September.

A number of health and safety protocols have been implemented to ensure splash pad users remain safe, including:

• Fencing to limit access to the splash pads, including a separate entrance and exit for participants;
• Participant screening prior to entry;
• Observance of social distancing protocols (six feet apart from individuals and/or a social bubble);
• A maximum of twenty (20) participants at one time on the Caledonia splash pad and ten (10) in Hagersville;
• Participants showered and dressed prior to screening/entry to the splash pad; and,
• A 20-minute time slot on the splash pad per user followed by cleaning of the area by staff.

Most IN-PERSON recreation programming (e.g.: library & museum programs, summer camps) has been cancelled given the significant difficulties in meeting Provincial safety requirements for staff and participants.

Virtual summer programming for children & families

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for the duration of summer, staff will be sharing activity options for children and families including ‘staycation’ day-trips and itineraries, sports and craft ideas, ‘how-to’ webinars and more!

Three (3) contests will take place each week, and one Grand prize winner to be drawn at the end of summer. Lots of great prizes are available!

More details related to virtual summer programming are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/summer2020/. You can also watch the County’s Facebook page for weekly videos and activities.

• All 3 Haldimand Museums are now open to the public, with new safety protocols in place.
• Visitors to Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum and Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre will be required to reserve their visit online to ensure proper physical distancing. At this time, a maximum number of four patrons may be admitted at one time, with each visit limited to 45 minutes. Visitors without a prior reservation may be admitted if capacity allows. Registration is now open and residents and visitors may reserve time slots using the County’s online reservation system (link.haldimandcounty.ca) or by calling Haldimand County customer service at 905-318-5932. Walk-ins are welcome at the Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre.
• All in-person Heritage & Culture activities and programming are cancelled until future notice. However, the public is encouraged to regularly check the County’s website for new online and virtual programming opportunities.
• Public access to museum archives at all locations remains unavailable at this time; however, staff are available to answer research queries via email.

• Bookings of County facilities, parks and fields (including community halls and pavilions) by the public are cancelled until further notice. As changes are made to the re-opening guidelines issued by the federal, provincial and local authorities, opportunities to once again make these assets available for booking will be implemented.

• All festivals and events on County property are cancelled until further notice.
• Festival & Event grants are on hold pending the status/type of activities and the potential lifting of restrictions.

• All bookings/rentals/activities/programming at all fields/parks are cancelled until further notice. More information will be announced regarding bookings for fall events.

• All library branches have re-opened to the public. Visit the library website for full details, public health protocols and what to expect when you visit.
• All in-person library programming has been cancelled until further notice. Virtual storytimes, crafts and other activities hosted by library staff are available on the library’s website, Facebook page, and new YouTube site.
• Online services remain available for use. A list of online resources and information on how to access eBook/eMagazine/audiobook services is available on the library’s website. Some online resources require a library card. If you do not have a library card, staff will issue one electronically. Visit the library’s online databases page and use the online email form at the bottom of the page to request a membership number, providing your full name and home mailing address. Staff will also respond to general inquiries via the online email request form.  

Please call Haldimand County customer service at 905-318-5932 or use the Contact Us form.