Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

Find out how our services have changed in response to COVID-19.

On this page

  1. Visiting city facilities
  2. Changes to City of Waterloo services
  3. Community support
  4. Business support
  5. Arts and culture support

Last updated Thursday October 29. Translate this page.

Visiting city facilities

The Region of Waterloo's mask bylaw applies to all city facilities.

Visitors must wear a mask indoors at all times unless involved in strenuous physical activity or unable to because of a medical condition or disability. 

Anyone who is unwell, has a temperature, been outside Canada in the last 14 days or exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 is not permitted to enter a city facility.

Find hours of operation, available services and safety procedures below.

Recreation centres

Recreation centres are currently open for pre-booked programs, appointments and rentals only. Rules for all facilities include:

  • complete mandatory pre-screening through your recreation service provider
  • wait outside at marked entrance to be greeted by facility ambassador
  • masks required except during play
  • only one guardian per minor aged participant
  • no access to showers or change rooms - arrive dressed to play as safely and reasonably as possible
  • no re-entry after leaving facility

Facility-specific services and safety procedures are below.

Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC)
Hockey/ice rentals

Groups using the ice at WMRC are subject to facility-specific rules around entry and conduct. Visit our WMRC page for a full list of procedures. 

Swimming

The indoor pool is open and pre-registration is required. Visit our swimming page to book your visit.

Track

The indoor track is open and pre-registration is required. Visit our track page to book your visit.

RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex
Rinks, gym and fieldhouse use

Groups using RIM Park are subject to facility-specific rules around entry and conduct. Visit our RIM Park page for a full list of procedures.  

Pickleball

Pickleball courts are open and pre-registration is required. Visit our pickleball page to book your visit.

Indoor walking

The indoor walking program is open and pre-registration is required. Visit our walking page to book your visit.

Albert McCormick Community Centre
Hockey/ice rentals

Groups using the ice at Albert McCormick are subject to facility-specific rules around entry and conduct. Visit our Albert McCormick page for a full list of procedures. 

Moses Springer Community Centre
Hockey/ice rentals

Groups using the ice at Moses Springer are subject to facility-specific rules around entry and conduct. Visit our Moses Springer page for a full list of procedures. 

Manulife Soccer and Sports Complex at Bechtel Park
Indoor fields
Groups using the indoor fields are subject to facility-specific rules around entry and conduct. Visit our Manulife Soccer and Sports Complex page for a full list of procedures. 

Adult Recreation Centre

The Adult Recreation Centre is open by appointment only. Call 519-579-1020 to make an appointment to visit.

Washrooms are open for walk-in use from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily

  • mask required for entrance
  • a member of our team will greet visitors upon their arrival
  • signage and physical distancing markers will be posted

Wing 404

Wing 404 is open by appointment only. Call 519-888-6356 to make an appointment to visit.

  • mask required for entrance
  • a member of our team will greet visitors upon their arrival
  • signage and physical distancing markers will be posted

Administrative buildings

City hall 

Waterloo City Hall is open regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services available for walk-in 
  • Municipal enforcement counter (parking tickets, licences)
  • Revenue counter (paying bills)
Services that require appointments 
  • Planning
  • Building Services
  • Legislative Services
  • Community Services
  • Mayor and CAO's office

Call 519-886-1550 to book an appointment.

Entrance procedure
  • face covering required for entrance
  • a member of our team will greet visitors
  • visitors for City of Waterloo line up on William Street side of building
  • visitors for city hall tenants line up on Regina Street side of building
  • visitors with appointments line up at the designated customer service counter
  • centre area of the building is for people to exit
  • visitors are welcome to use the first floor washrooms  

Waterloo Service Centre

Waterloo Service Centre is open regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Entrance procedure
  • face covering required for entrance
  • visitors are required to use the intercom system to notify city staff that they have arrived
  • bill payments are accepted at this location
  • washrooms are not available to the public in this location

Outdoor facilities

All parks, trails and playgrounds are open regular hours, subject to physical distancing and gathering size limits.

Washrooms

Masks are required inside city washrooms. Please do not visit a washroom if you're feeling unwell, recently travelled outside Canada or been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Washrooms currently available to the public for walk in use:

Changes to City of Waterloo services

Water flushing in your building

Read water flushing guidelines to make sure your building has clean water supply.

City council meetings online only

Council meetings are fully online. The public can stream meetings live and watch recordings. Feedback can be sent to the city clerk via email.

For times, agenda and streaming links, visit the council calendar.

Uptown patio application fees not charged

The Uptown Sidewalk Patio application fee is waived for 2020.

Building permit approval and inspections are limited

Call 519-747-8752 to book an appointment. Permit applications, issuance and inspections are affected.

For full details, visit our building information.

Development application inquiries by email only
In-person counter at city hall is available by appointment only. Call 519-747-8752 to book an appointment.

For details, visit zone changes.

Community support

For a list of local community supports, visit the Region of Waterloo's community support webpage. This includes food delivery, and public spaces open for warming or washroom use.

Waterloo at Home

City staff and community partners have come together to create Waterloo At Home - a curation of helpful tips and resources for residents to make the best of their time at home. 

Using Engage Waterloo as the platform, Waterloo At Home is a one-stop-shop for ideas, resources and stories aimed at keeping residents active, connected and creative at home. 

City of Waterloo neighbourhood newsletter

We're all neighbours. Now more than ever, sharing information and having points of connection is important.

We publish a weekly email newsletter with information to help you stay informed and socially connected while physically distancing.

View current edition

Subscribe

Past editions

To contact the neighbourhoods team during this time, email neighbourhoods@waterloo.ca

Business support

Our economic development office is working with regional partners to monitor and assess developments related to COVID-19 and their impact on businesses in the City of Waterloo.

We have put together a series of resources to help during this time. For questions or additions/changes to the list, please contact ecdev@waterloo.ca or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre and Uptown Business Improvement Area also have helpful resources for local businesses.

Restaurant, cafes and food shops in Waterloo open during COVID-19

If you're looking for restaurants, cafes or food shops to service you during the temporary closures in Waterloo, this list has everything that is open.

If you are a food service business and would like to be added to this list, please apply below.

Apply to be on map

Retail businesses open during COVID-19

If you're looking for clothing and accessory stores, health and personal care, sporting goods and hobbies, electronics, gardening supplies or general merchandise to service you during the temporary closures in Waterloo, this list has everything that is open.

View the full retail map

If you are a retail service business and would like to be added to this list, please apply below.

Apply to be on map

Resources for re-opening your business
Call for suppliers to help during COVID-19
Government of Canada resources and programs

As programs are changing regularly, please check Canada’s Program for managing your Business during COVID-19 for the most up to date information.

Helping business avoid layoffs and rehiring
Helping businesses access credit and funds
Other business programs

Other organizations offering support

Province of Ontario

Other organizations offering support

Local businesses helping businesses

  • Shopify: get a retail business online quickly with a three-month trial
  • Vidyard: free video messaging conferencing tools
  • Accelerator Centre: free mentoring workshops across Canada
  • Blackberry: secure connectivity tools free trial and Resource kits on returning to work and crisis communications

Arts and culture support

The city's arts and culture team has put together a series of resources to help during this time.

For further updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Advocacy groups with resources
Grants and financial support
Learning resources