Tag: Hamilton

‘It’s really tough to get any kind of physical activity’: Hamilton seniors respond to recreation closures

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Gabe Szvoboda was a regular at the Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre before the pandemic.

The 71-year-old would play table tennis, badminton, and bridge, and take yoga and painting classes.

He went back when the centre reopened on Oct. 5 with limited numbers. One of the table tennis players made a weekly schedule so everyone knew which days they could play.

They had three tables set up across the gym with two players each, for a maximum of six at a time.

Edwin Chong, the 75-year-old who created the schedule, said people enjoyed playing again. “Especially for seniors, it’s really tough to get any kind of physical activity,” he said.

But when the city announced late Nov. 15 that many recreational programs would be cancelled once Hamilton entered the province’s “red zone,” some of the seniors were “disappointed.”

“It came very sudden, so there was no indication whatsoever this might come,” Szvoboda said. “We heard of the problem over the weekend and suddenly Monday we could not register anymore.”

The city cancelled all fall registered recreation programs, including swimming lessons, fitness programs, sports, and general interest programs. The city also cancelled gym, sport, and fitness drop-in programs including table tennis, pickleball, badminton, basketball, and other activities.

“I felt there was no reason to do it because private facilities are open,” Szvoboda said. “We adhere to the rules and regulations and the protocols that they set.”

The provincial measures for the red zone allow for gyms and fitness studios to have up to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors, with sports and recreational programs in multiplexes restricted to 10 people per room indoors and 25 outdoors. Team sports are not allowed, except for training.

The results of a city survey released this week showed a drop in resident satisfaction for senior services.

Terry Quan, who’s 73 and another table tennis player, said the games were a way to stay active and connected.

“The wife and I are reluctant to go anywhere … We just end up staying home or I take the dog for a walk,” said Quan.

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Maria Iqbal
Maria Iqbal’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories focused on aging issues. Reach her via email: [email protected]

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Hamilton proposes halving fees for sports groups using city recreation facilities

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Hamilton is proposing to give users of its gyms and arenas a financial break as the city is forced to limit the number of people who can use its recreation facilities because of provincial health measures.

The city’s emergency and community services committee approved Mountain Coun. Tom Jackson’s Nov. 19 motion to cut user fees by half for the public, retroactive to Nov. 16, as long as Hamilton remains in the red or “control” category, which is scheduled to end on Dec. 15.

“The health of our community is absolutely paramount,” said Jackson.

Chris Herstek, director of recreation, said that an hour of ice time is $178.63 while one hour of gym time is $55.55. He said user groups would only pay half those amounts.

It is unknown what the total cost will be for cutting the fees and how the loss revenue will impact the 2021 recreation budget. But Jackson said the city could use a portion of the $45 million the city is expected to receive from the province in coronavirus-related relief to help cover any deficit.

Councillors will vote on the recommendation at their Nov. 25 meeting.

Jackson’s motion came after staff reopened additional arenas beyond the twin-pads buildings, which were opened at the end of August, to include single-pad facilities to accommodate ice user groups’ needs.

The arenas now open include Bill Friday (Lawfield) Arena, Carlisle Arena, Glanbrook Arena, Inch Park Arena, Mountain Skating Centre, Pat Quinn Arena, Rosedale Arena, Spring Valley Arena and Westoby (Olympic) Arena.

In addition, the city is opening Beverly Arena for volleyball and Coronation Arena and Saltfleet Arena for basketball groups from Nov. 30 until May 2021.

Eastwood Arena and Stoney Creek Arena are unavailable for any activity until May 2021.

“We have been working with user groups and as the demand for ice increases, we are opening up additional arenas,” said Herstek.

He said volleyball and basketball organizations have been requesting that the city open other facilities so they can accommodate their players.

But under the red or “control” provincial health measures, there is a limit of 10 people per facility, including coaches and players, and only practicing and training are allowed. Herstek said the 10-person limit applies to all recreation facilities whether it is a single-pad arena such as Lawfield Arena or the larger Mohawk 4 Ice Centre.

“With 10 people, for some user groups it will be a hardship,” said Herstek.

Prior to the staff report being written, Herstek said, the limit for a facility was 25 people. The province moved Hamilton into the red category on Nov. 16 because of the rising number of coronavirus cases.

“Oh my goodness,” said Jackson. “Something seems wrong with that picture.”

The city’s recreation staff has also been juggling extra requests from user groups after both the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board informed the city in September that their gyms would not be available to the city or other community groups.

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50 new COVID-19 cases in Hamilton Thursday, as recreation centre limits frustrate council – Hamilton

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Frustration over new red zone restrictions within recreation facilities is dominating the agenda at Hamilton City Hall.

The emergency and community services committee has approved a motion to cut fees in half that the city charges to minor hockey organizations, skating clubs and other user groups.

Read more:
City clarifies 10-person limit inside Hamilton arenas, recreation centres

Ward 6 Coun. Tom Jackson notes that a maximum indoor capacity of 10 patrons, regardless the size of an arena or recreation centre, will mean “financial hardship” for recreation groups.

His motion, approved by committee members, says the halving of fees will last as long as the city remains in the red control category of province’s COVID-19 framework.

Jackson says he’s “miffed, puzzled and peeved” at how Hamilton, which is averaging about 50 new cases of COVID-19 each day over the past week, “got lumped in with York, Toronto and Peel.”

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Read more:
Hamilton’s COVID-19 death toll rises to 72, as city seeks to clarify ‘red’ zone rules

Jackson is particularly frustrated that the indoor capacity limit of 10 patrons applies, “whether it’s a quad-pad arena of four pads inside the one big building, or it would be a simple, single pad.”

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“It’s hard times for sure, added Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls, who says she “understands the frustration of all the constituents that are calling me, all the people that have kids in any sport.”

Fifty more cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday in Hamilton.

That’s according to public health’s daily update which shows no new deaths related to the virus in the city for the first time in almost a week.

Read more:
How Hamilton entered Ontario’s COVID-19 red level and what to expect

There are also no new outbreaks included in Thursday’s tally, which shows 342 active cases of coronavirus in Hamilton.

Many of the city’s current outbreaks are within long-term care facilities and the four most widespread involve a total of 175 resident and staff cases at Chartwell Willowgrove, Hamilton Continuing Care, St. Joseph’s Villa, Baywoods Place.

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City clarifies 10-person limit inside Hamilton arenas, recreation centres – Hamilton

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The City of Hamilton has issued an update regarding capacity limits within recreation facilities.

As a result of entering the red control category of the province’s framework, designed to control the spread of COVID-19, it now says a maximum of 10 patrons can be inside of a facility at one time, regardless of size.

Read more:
Hamilton’s COVID-19 death toll rises to 72, as city seeks to clarify ‘red’ zone rules

The restriction, which the city says was confirmed late Wednesday by the province under the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, applies to Hamilton’s recreation centres, arenas and community halls.

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The city stresses that there are no special capacity limits for on-rink activity, adding that the arena limits apply to coaches and players; no spectators are permitted.

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Hockey teams may train with drills only, as no games or scrimmages are permitted, and there is no access to arena change room facilities.

Read more:
Hamilton’s public school board cancels final exams, changes some graduation requirements

The city had previously announced the cancellation of all fall registered recreation programs, including swimming lessons, fitness programs, sports programs and general interest programs.

All gym, sport, and fitness drop-in programs, including pickleball, badminton, basketball, table tennis, open gym, and water fit, are all cancelled with Hamilton in the red control category.

Some drop-in recreation programs will continue, including open swim, length swim and seniors general interest, but reservations are required for entry and there is a 90-minute limit of length of stay.



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City cancels some recreation programs as Hamilton enters COVID-19 red zone

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All swimming lessons, gym drop-ins and general interest programs run by the city have been cancelled as Hamilton enters the red “control” zone of Ontario’s COVID-19 framework Monday.

The city announced the changes which are “effective immediately” in a media release Sunday night.

The cancellations include all fall registered programs, including fitness and sport, and all drop-ins such as pickleball, badminton, basketball, table tennis, Waterfit and open gym.

The maximum number of people allowed in a recreation facility at one time will also be capped at 50.

Credits will be issued for those missing out on their registered programs and refunds will be handed out by request, according to the city.

Residents are asked to email [email protected] to get a refund.

Some drop-in programs, such as open swim, length swim and seniors general interest, will continue with the following enhanced safety measures:

  • Reservations will be required for entry.
  • Stays will be limited to 90 minutes.
  • Contact information for all patrons and people playing a team sport will be required.
  • No spectators permitted (except for a parent or guardian to supervise children).
  • Programs, space and facility capacities will be further reduced.

The city says staff will be contacting facility renters and sports groups to let them know how their permits or agreements might be affected.

Hamilton entered the red zone as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, meaning residents are waking up to new restrictions.

In the red zone, gatherings are confined to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Religious services, weddings and funerals are confined to 30 per cent capacity indoors and 100 people outdoors. The maximum number of patrons permitted to be seated at a bar or restaurant indoors is 10. Outdoor dining, take out, drive thru, and delivery are all permitted. 

The measures will be in place for at least 28 days.

Residents are asked to restrict their close contacts to members of their households and essential supports.

Only essential activities outside the home such as work, school, fitness and getting groceries should be carried out in-person.

The city is urging people to limit their social interactions to people who live under the same roof, though those that live alone can join another household for support.

People are reminded to wash their hands often, stay home and get tested if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 and to wear a mask when around others, in public or outdoors in places where they can’t maintain physical distancing.

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Mayfair Street Partners and Hotel Equities Share Latest News on The Hamilton, a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel in Alpharetta, Georgia

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Construction reaches milestone ahead of schedule; Washington appointed GM

The Hamilton

The Hamilton, a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel
The Hamilton, a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel
The Hamilton, a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel

Alpharetta, GA, Nov. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Mayfair Street Partners and Hotel Equities shared the latest news regarding Alpharetta, Georgia’s highly anticipated boutique hotel, The Hamilton. Construction on the luxury bespoke hotel in the heart of the city’s downtown has reached its topping-off milestone ahead of schedule. Hotel Equities also announced that Kenneth Washington has been named general manager of the 119-room hotel located at 21 Milton Avenue. The Hamilton is owned and developed by Mayfair Street Partners (“Mayfair”) and Hotel Equities (“HE”) will operate the hotel upon opening. Both Mayfair and HE are headquartered locally in Alpharetta, GA.

“The topping-off signifies a significant milestone for the hotel,” said Managing Director & Partner for Mayfair Street Partners, Jason Joseph.  “This development has been a collaboration of local experts, great partners, a fantastic operator, and “best in class” general contractor who joined together to deliver an iconic landmark addition to the downtown community of Alpharetta.”  

“This is an important project for the city of Alpharetta, its residents and the surrounding communities,” said HE’s President and CEO, Brad Rahinsky. “I couldn’t be more confident in our selection of GM, Mr. Kenneth Washington who has been an exemplary leader within Hotel Equities for years. Kenneth is a dedicated and proven leader in our industry and in the community and is motivated to make The Hamilton the heartbeat of the city of Alpharetta.”

The Hamilton’s speakeasy level will become home to Roaring Social, a 9,000 square foot entertainment, dining and drinking destination which was recently described in a press release depicting the venue as a unique resurgence of the 1920’s speakeasy. Roaring Social will offer patrons entertainment by way of live and curated music as well as feature eight lanes of boutique bowling, delicious bites and specialty crafted cocktails. The Hamilton will offer two additional distinct and unique in-house dining options creating multiple environments and experiences.

“This full-service boutique hotel will be a one-of-a-kind addition to the community of Alpharetta which has for several years been among the top wedding venues in the Atlanta area because of all the city has to offer,” said Joe Reardon, chief development officer for Hotel Equities. “Our team of food and beverage experts are creating curated menus with locally inspired cocktails for an unbeatable guest experience. Coupled with the uniquely designed luxury accommodations and flexible and thoughtful meeting space… we’re ready to be of service for any type of event you’re planning.”

The guestrooms and public spaces will draw from the area’s rich and inspiring transportation history of the Western & Atlantic Railway. Its design plans reflect the industrial insurgence by incorporating rich colors, heavy textures, and modern accommodations with a vintage charm to create an artfully curated guest experience honoring Alpharetta’s history.

In addition to luxurious guest accommodations and vibrant and unique dining options, the

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