- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

When Bernice Ackermann realized that the walking track at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre was not going to be open by the time the weather drove her fellow walkers indoors, she went to City Hall.  Ackerman and over a hundred others, mostly seniors, have been using the track on the upper concourse of the arena for years to keep active, especially when the footing gets risky outdoors, and she wanted to see if that could continue this year.

Since Covid-19, the Bayshore has been closed to all but Attack staff who just walk through the front foyer to their offices, and recently, to those who have rented hall space. All hockey users have moved up to the rec centre, and the arena surface has been converted to a field hospital we never have to use, in an agreement with the Grey Bruce Health Services.

A staff report to City Council on Monday allowed for a plan involving pre-registered, signed-in, covid-screened groups of twenty walkers at a time, chairs 6 feet apart for changing to indoor footwear and hanging coats, washrooms that will be limited to the walkers and cleaned after each 20 person group, and one way walking.  Staff to monitor, screen and clean, and additional security to protect the rest of the facility, would come at a cost.

Doug Bumstead read about the problem,  got on the phone with friends and colleagues, and in two hours had come up with a pledge of $4000 per month for four months to get the walkers through the winter.  The council gratefully accepted the generous offer, and planning is on track for an early December re-opening. Of course this will be subject to any necessary Public Health closures, or the need to put the field hospital into use.  The whole arrangement will be re-visited mid-January.

We'd like to offer our appreciation to Bernice Ackermann for looking for solutions , and to these community members who stepped up to help their neighbours.

- Bumstead Insurance
-John Tamming Tamming Law
-Terry Graham TG Group
-David Black CIBC
-Bill McFarlane Sutton Real Estate
-Dennis Hill Wardell Carpet
-Ron Todd IG Private Wealth Management
-Bruce Beattie
-Chris Little RBC Dominion Securities
-Ryan Carson Peninsula Ford
-Scott Crowther Advantage Royal Group

Suggested alternatives had included the indoor track at the Family Y - a well-used membership facility for both walking and running, and Heritage Place Mall. Those who already walked at the Bayshore are pleased to be returning there. Most of  them are in the vulnerable age group for Covid-19, some with health issues, and are staying away from large public venues on the advice of Public Health.  All of the health and safety measures planned would not be available in other venues where they would be sharing the space with other Y users or Christmas shoppers.