Parks and Rec. back in business

"All the Parks and Rec. programs and summer services have restarted," said Winnie Li, City of Toronto manager of communications for the department of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

As of July 15 all summer programs that were cancelled due to the city workers’ strike in the City of Toronto, including day camps and swimming lessons that account for 88,000 children, were up and running. Summer permits for fields and facilities were also deemed valid once again. Indoor and outdoor pools and community centres also re-opened for business.

"Refunds are currently being processed and will be received in the mail," Li added. "It depends on the program, some will be getting full refunds if they missed a weekend program and others will be getting a prorated refund. Let’s say if they missed two of nine classes they’ll receive a refund for those two classes."

Some of the programs run by the city will be extended beyond their original end date in order to make up for lost classes.

"We are working through the numbers right now. Basically Parks and Rec staff are determining which programs can be extended to make up for the lost time. Then we can determine what the numbers are in terms of refunds and lost revenue," Li said.

Permit holders will also be receiving refunds in the mail, either prorated or in full, depending on the circumstances.

"Overall, the general picture is that most of the parents are coming back, there are individuals that made other arrangements and some are waiting to see if the classes will be lengthened’" Li said of the slight drop in the number of kids enrolled in the summer programs.

Li also said that on days when there were heat emergencies pool hours would be extended to accommodate for the increase in people looking to cool off.