SUMMER ISN'T CANCELLED: Tory announces SwimTO and CampTO

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Toronto Mayor John Tory says while it’s going to be “a different summer” in the city due to COVID-19, in no way is it cancelled.

He made the comments Wednesday while announcing both SwimTO and CampTO programs to get underway once the province allows the city to enter the second stage of reopening that could begin as early as June 19.

“With the approach of hot summer weather and the extended closure of many indoor public spaces, it’s vital that Torontonians have an opportunity to cool down outdoors,” said Tory. “There are more than 300 city-run outdoor aquatic amenities in neighbourhoods across Toronto including 59 outdoor pools, 100 wading pools, 140 splash pads and 11 supervised swimming beaches.”

Tory pointed out beaches have remained open in the city without lifeguards but six in particular — including Woodbine, Sunnyside, Marie Curtis Park, Kew-Balmy, Cherry/Clarke are Bluffer’s Park — are expected to have supervision by June 22.

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The four Toronto Island beaches won’t be open until ferry service resumes.

CampTO is the opening of summer day camps on July 13 for children aged 6-12 with 32,000 spaces available at more than 150 location for eight weeks.

“Unfortunately, due to public health precautions, and due to the changes we’ve had to make to this program because of public health concerns, this will be a smaller program than our usual summer camps,” said Tory.

As for a new petition to rename Toronto’s Dundas Street due to its ties to Henry Dundas, an 18th-century Edinburgh-born politician who obstructed the abolition of slavery in England — Tory said he asked the city manager to form a working group to look at the issue and report back within 30 days.

“Renaming a major street or a public space (Yonge-Dundas Square) does create many practical challenges,” said Tory. “But we should have a process to examine what are very important and relevant historical questions along with all the practical matters involved if such changes were to be made.”