Some of the north Simcoe area's top tourist players are offering different approaches when it comes to reopening.
While the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre started allowing area residents to use its trails earlier this month, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour are still awaiting word from the province with the Martyrs’ Shrine hoping to open for the season July 4.
“We are monitoring closely as Ontario moves forward to the second stage of reopening, guided by local public health and the provincial government,” said Discovery Harbour operations manager Gary Molnar.
“Updates will continue to be provided as more information becomes available.”
As for the Wye Marsh, the trail system is now open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily as part of a phased-in reopening plan.
“We have had relatively good weather and so it's nice to have visitors exploring the trails again,” said Amanda Swick, Wye Marsh event and volunteer co-ordinator.
“Turtles are basking in the marsh and Canada geese waddle trails with their goslings in tow.”
For the time being, admission is by donation with a marked box in the parking lot. Starting Monday, a staffed payment kiosk will be installed by the front door of the visitor’s centre with reduced admission rates applying until they’re completely back up and running. Temporary washrooms are also in place as the visitor’s centre remains closed.
“There is no access to the birds of prey field during this time,” Swick said. “Canoe tours and other programming will remain suspended at this time. We ask all visitors to respect social distancing. If the parking lot is full when you arrive please come back another time.”
There’s also some protocols visitors are asked to follow when on the trails, including ensuring that they’re mindful of wildlife who may have become accustomed to the trails and boardwalks being unused by humans.
“Please give them space and do not attempt to approach or feed them, especially on the boardwalk,” Swick said. “Please respect social distancing guidelines while on the trails, especially at intersections and narrow sections.”
As for Huronia Historical Parks (HHP), which includes both Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour, Molnar said the priority remains the health and well-being of everyone, including staff and visitors to the two sites.
Molnar said the province’s careful and gradual approach to reopening will allow communities and job creators, including tourist attractions, to prepare and open safely. He also also pointed to the government’s roadmap for reopening the province by gradually easing restrictions in its plan called A Framework for Reopening our Province, A Plan to Restart Ontario.
So far, Molnar said the plan has allowed staff to perform landscaping and lawn care at the attractions and begin the first steps to reopening the facilities.
“This has enabled the opening of Sainte-Marie Park adjacent to Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Bayfield Park at Discovery Harbour for permitted activities such hiking, walking and biking,” he said.
“The historic sites remain closed to the public at present, but HHP is currently developing innovative ways to adjust its programs and operations for the health and safety of our visitors and staff while ensuring we will continue to exceed customer expectations.”
Molnar said staffing needs will be aligned to identified operational needs and updates will continue to be provided as more information becomes available.
“The health and safety of all Ontarians, including students and youth, was a key factor in the recent announcement shifting to on-line learning for students from classrooms for the balance of the school year,” he said.
“While this has affected group visits to the attractions, the priority is on the health and safety of students, educators and staff at the attractions, while we all work together to lessen the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a key destination in south central Ontario offering two historic attractions as part of a vibrant tourism economy, we look forward to welcoming visitors in the future.”
But some sites aren't waiting, having already thrown in the towel on the season.
The SS Keewatin, which has been docked in Port McNicoll since 2012, announced in March it would not open for the upcoming season following a decision by its board of directors in conjunction with Skyline Investments, which owns the vessel.
“It’s a tough decision, but one, overall, we felt was something we had to do,” Friends of Keewatin CEO Eric Conroy said at the time.
Conroy said that while difficult, the decision was made because the not-for-profit charitable foundation didn’t feel it would recoup operating costs in an abbreviated season.
“It costs $50,000 or more to get open,” Conroy said. “Cocooning is probably the best word for it (not opening this season).”
The Martyrs' Shrine, meanwhile, has “made the difficult decision to postpone all major cultural pilgrimages until 2021,” according to a release on its website.
“Martyrs’ Shrine is financially reliant on the gate fees and donations generated by the generosity of its visitors to fund its ministry and operation. Martyrs’ Shrine is monitoring the advice of public health officials, and anticipates opening in a limited capacity once circumstances permit."
A target date for opening day has been set for July 4, "which may be adjusted as the situation evolves.”
