Kingston reopens community facilities as restrictions ease
Kingston Council has started reopening its libraries, recreation centres and community sporting grounds as COVID-19 restrictions are eased across Victoria.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said for safety reasons it won't be back to business as usual just yet as Council needs to continue to follow strict capacity and physical distancing rules.
"We are really excited to be able to open up our community facilities again to residents and visitors to Kingston, but safety is our main priority and we want to make sure we reopen in a staged way that allows people some access but doesn't create any additional risks", Cr Oxley said.
"I know the community has missed being able to take their children to their local library, go for a swim at our wonderful Waves Leisure Centre or play sport on our netball courts and sporting fields, I have too, but we can't rush into this we need to work together to keep the community and our staff safe."
This week Chelsea, Clarinda and Westall libraries reopened for booked visits with Parkdale and Cheltenham offering a Click & Collect service only. As of 22 June, Parkdale, Cheltenham, Dingley Village and Patterson Lakes libraries will be reopen.
"It's terrific we can now access some of our libraries again but don't forget you can still continue to access our Home Library Service and online library with a huge range of virtual programs and clubs plus eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and much more," Cr Oxley said.
"School holidays are only a few weeks away too and Kingston Libraries will be offering a packed June-July online program via mailout and online activities including author talks, theatre shows, cooking classes, science experiments and Minecraft and Dungeon and Dragon online games."
The pool facilities at Waves Leisure Centre are now open again as well for pre-booked lap swimming and exercise rehabilitation purposes. The gym remains closed for now, but you can still stay active at home with Kingston Active's free online classes or Facebook Live workouts.
Kingston's Customer Care centre in Cheltenham has also reopened.
"It's really important that when the community visit our libraries, recreation centres and other facilities or meet friends at our skateparks and playgrounds, they continue to follow physical distancing guidelines and keep up the hygiene practices we have all become so good at", said Cr Oxley.
