While the CUPE Local 53 Full-time strike action continues, the Town is working to expand its service delivery further to meet the needs of the community. This includes gradually reopening recreational facilities, including for organized sports; resuming Council meetings; and offering yard waste drop-off and yard waste curbside collection.  

Here’s what you need to know: 

Recreation Facilities

The Town is gradually reopening its recreational facilities and programs. As a first step, figure skating will resume at McKinney Centre on Friday, November 10. Please arrive early to secure parking in the north lot and access the facility through the north doors, as the south parking lot is being used as a temporary waste drop-off location until 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 11. If the north parking lot is full, visitors may park in the Whitby Operations Centre parking lot located at 333 McKinney Drive.  

Minor hockey and ringette will resume (with modified schedules) at McKinney Centre on Sunday, November 12. As of this date, the south parking lot will be available to all facility users. Recreational skating (public skating, shinny, etc.) continues to be on hold.

The Town will begin to reopen the 55+ Recreation Centre on Monday, November 13, with modified hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for some fitness classes and drop-in activities. Please note that Mingles Café will remain closed at this time.

The Whitby Civic Recreation Centre pool and Health Club are anticipated to be open for recreational swims (lane swims, drop-in swims, etc.) on Monday, November 20. Swimming lessons will continue to be on hold at this time. 

New facility permits are being accepted and considered on a case-by-case basis, dependent on Town support required.  

Iroquois Park Sports Centre will host The International Silver Stick Tournament from November 23 to 26 and the Tournament of Heroes from December 1 to 3. Together, these major tournaments bring approximately $6 million in economic impact to the community over two weekends. 

Waste

A new drop-off location is now open at 5015 Baldwin Street South accepting yard waste, garbage, and organics. The Iroquois Park Sports Centre Temporary Waste Drop-off location remains open for garbage and organics only. Please place garbage and organics together in garbage bags at both locations.

Hours of operation for all waste drop-off locations:

• Open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Open Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Closed on Sundays

The McKinney Centre Temporary Waste Drop-off location will permanently close Saturday, November 11 at 6 p.m.

Safety is our top priority. Please allow for extra time and be patient if you encounter CUPE 53 picket lines.

Curbside Yard Waste Collection

Curbside yard waste collection has begun. Garbage and organics collection remains on hold. Please place your yard waste at the curb and be patient – we will be by as soon as possible for pick-up. Missed the first collection? No worries – we will be back at a future date.

Learn more by downloading the Whitby Waste Buddy app from Google Play or the App Store.

Regular Council and Committee Meetings

Council and Committee Meetings will resume in a virtual format starting Monday, November 13. Residents can watch meetings live at whitby.ca/livestream. For information on upcoming meetings, visit whitby.ca/CouncilCalendar 

More Information

Stay informed by visiting whitby.ca/2023labourdisruption. Residents can subscribe to receive emailed updates directly to their inbox at whitby.ca/subscribe.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Erin Mikaluk, Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913
Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca