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What’s Re-opening in our Communities?

As we all slowly begin to re-open across our region and try and resume normal life, we thought it would be helpful to share what is open and what restrictions are in place – so that we can all enjoy everything Georgian Bay has to offer.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Balm Beach Go Karts: Open Saturdays and Sundays 11AM to 7PM, weather permitting for go-karting.

Elmvale Jungle Zoo: Now open (weather permitting), but visitors must reserve a timeslot from their website. Payments will be made at Admissions (Debit/Credit/Cash) and not online.

Huronia Museum:​ Now open, however the outdoor pre-contact Ouendat village remains closed. Visitor bubbles of up to 6 people will be allowed entry every 30 minutes. You can pre-book a timeslot or walk-ins can wait for the next available timeslot.

Rounds Ranch:​ Now open​. Tickets can be purchased online or onsite by debit or credit. All patrons must stay one horse away from each other. Masks are encouraged but not required. To learn more about safety protocols, visit their website.

Skydive Wasaga Beach: Now open, with special safety protocols in place.​ Make your reservation online.
​TreeTop Trekking at Horseshoe Resort:​ Open for reduced capacity. Visitors must reserve their timeslot online before arriving.​ ​​Check their website for safety protocols and what to expect.

Wasaga Beach Adventure Park:​ Open Wednesday to Saturday for axe throwing, laser tag, archery tag, paintball and airsoft. All activities are outdoors. No spectators permitted at this time. ​Online booking available on their website.​

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre: Now open. Please respect one way trails at entry and exit points. Admission will be by donation in the parking lot. There is access to portable washrooms, but the Center remains closed to the public.

ONTARIO PARKS CAMPGROUNDS

​Starting June 22, all other Ontario Parks campgrounds in regions entering Phase 2 will gradually open. Please consult the Ontario Parks website to see which parks are open and what amenities are available. Roofed accommodations (e.g., yurts, cabins and lodges, where available), park store and rental operations, visitor centers, and sports fields will be phased in over the next several weeks.  

Facilities such as showers, laundry, group camping, picnic shelter rentals and swimming pools will remain closed for the rest of the 2020 season. 

PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS

Please contact private campgrounds prior to visiting.  New booking and reservations may be required.​

OUTDOOR SPLASH PADS & POOLS

Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and all swimming pools are able to open.​

DRIVE-INS

Drive-in and drive-through venues for theatres, concerts, animal attractions and cultural appreciation are able to open.​

Sunset Barrie: Purchase your tickets online only. NO tickets will be sold at the box office.​​

GOLF

As of May 16th, Simcoe County golf courses are able to open. Please contact your golf course of choice for details on safety protocols.

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Changes To Insurance Criteria, Starting July 1st

On Thursday, June 4 2020, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced new, tighter mortgage borrowing criteria that will apply to all insurance applications beginning July 1, 2020. CMHC is Canada’s largest mortgage insurer and offers mortgage default insurance to property buyers to ensure lenders are protected in the event that borrowers fail to pay their mortgages. Mortgage default insurance is mandatory for high ratio mortgages, which are mortgages where the down payment is between 5% and 19.99%.  

CMHC cited the impact of COVID on several sectors of the economy and its recent 12 month forecast on home price declines as the key factors in its decision to change its underwriting criteria. According to CMHC President and CEO, Evan Siddall, these changes will “protect home buyers, reduce government and taxpayer risk and support the stability of housing markets while curtailing excessive demand and unsustainable house price growth.” 

So what does this mean for you? It means that an applicant must now have Higher Credit Scores, Lower Debt Service Ratios, and Limit Down Payments from Non-Traditional Sources.