News release

For immediate release

Saanich COVID-19 update: all municipal facilities closed to the public

Saanich, BC – Effective March 19, 2020, all District of Saanich municipal facilities will be closed to the public.

Some services will be available by appointment only. These changes will be in place until further notice.

If you do not have an appointment, please do not attend a facility. However, if you do have an appointment and attend a facility, please also respect COVID-19 hygiene protocols, including:

• Appropriate hand hygiene
• Social distancing
• Coughing and sneezes guidelines

 

CURRENT CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS

Recreation centres

All Saanich recreation facilities and services are closed until further notice.

Phone services are available at all recreation centres from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please note that in-person services are not available at this time.

Online services continue to be available. Please visit saanich.ca/recreation.

Public hearings and meetings

All Saanich public hearings have been cancelled until further notice.

All scheduled advisory committees, standing committees, board, foundation and commission meetings have also been cancelled until further notice, with the exception of the Standing Committee on Finance and Governance.

Council meetings and Committee of the Whole meetings will continue until further notice.

 

CLOSURES EFFECTIVE MARCH 19

Municipal Hall public access

Public access to the municipal hall and the annex is reduced to ‘by appointment only’. Staff are responding to phone and email inquiries. General contacts are available on Saanich.ca and are listed by department.

If you need to attend the Hall, please make an appointment through the general department email or phone number.

Parks and Public Works Yard

Public access to the Parks and Public Works Yard is reduced to ‘by appointment only’ with access provided from the Borden Street gate. Appointments can be made through publicworks@saanich.ca or by calling ph # 250-475-5599

This applies to inquiries for both Public Works and Parks. Deliveries and service provider access will be maintained.

Garden waste drop-off

Yard and garden waste services will be closed until further notice. Green bins curbside pick-up is continuing.

There will be no appointments available for garden waste drop-off.

Please refer to Saanich.ca for list of appropriate green bin waste materials. Please consider composting yard and garden waste at home and/or temporarily store the material in your yard until normal operations resume.

Fire Hall #1

Public access to Fire Hall #1 is reduced to ‘by appointment only’. Appointments can be made through fireadmin@saanich.ca or by calling ph# 250-475-5500.

Burning permits can be conducted over the phone and fees are being waived at this time.

Learn more

Updates and additional information will available on our website and social media channels.

Visit: saanich.ca/COVID-19

Facebook: @Saanich.BC, @saanichparksandrecreation

Twitter: @Saanich, @SaanichParksRec

Questions from the public

Questions about services closures can be directed to reception@saanich.ca or ph# 250-475-1775 

-30-

Media contact:
Information Officer
Emergency Operations Centre
250-475-5581
eoc.Info@saanich.ca