Ontario is slowly revving up again. Here’s a guide to what’s open and when

The province announced its first stage of a slow and methodical economic recovery Thursday, an effort that will gradually see construction projects resume and select workplaces and seasonal activities reopen in the coming week.

Here's a primer of what you can expect:

Seasonal activities

Itching for a tee time on the links? Got cobwebs on your boat?

It's your lucky weekend.

Golf courses and driving ranges in Hamilton, including Chippewa Creek and Flamborough Hills, are booking in golfers as they set to reopen on Saturday. Clubhouses will only be open for washrooms and restaurants for takeout.

Marinas, boat clubs and public boat launches, including at Bayfront Park, are opening for recreational use, while kennels that board animals, such as stables, may allow clients to visit, care or ride their animal.

Rod and gun clubs, as well as cycling tracks, will open to the public. Private parks and campgrounds may open to allow preparation for the season and owners who have a full-season contract for their trailers and RVs.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the province is permitting sport activity for single-person athletics, including training and competitions conducted by a recognized sporting body or organization. The list of indoor and outdoor non-team sports, which must be played while maintaining physical distance and without spectators, are as follows:

• Water sports on lakes and outdoor bodies of water like rowing or sailing

• Low-contact racquet sports like tennis, badminton, pickleball and ping pong

• Athletics such as track and field, gymnastics and figure skating

• Animal-related sports, such as horse racing

While all City of Hamilton facilities and programs will remain closed until May 25, dog parks are open to the public Saturday.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said Friday that outdoor tennis nets will be put up in the next week or two."

Businesses and services

Starting Tuesday, retailers with street entrances can reopen if they limit the number of customers inside to one person per four square metres to ensure physical distancing.

In clothing stores, only fitting rooms with doors can be used, with only every second one being permitted for use to allow for cleaning after each customer and to ensure physical distance.

All indoor shopping malls will remain closed, but strip malls with outdoor entrances can open. Curbside pickup is still encouraged for retail businesses.

Construction workers will be allowed back at all sites across the province.

Pet grooming, sitting, training or walking services will open, too, but the vet is available only to pre-booked appointments.

Car, truck, motorcycle and boat dealers - who were previously restricted to appointment-only business - can rev up anew, as well as media businesses such as film and TV-post production, animation studios and music recording. On-site activities that require performers and workers to be in groups will not be permitted.

In Hamilton, parking will begin to be enforced Saturday at all city metres and lots. The first 30 minutes at parking metres are free.

Monthly permits for March and April that were not renewed will be honoured for May, but starting June 1, drivers will need a valid permit or risk a fine.

Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com