The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys, Ont., has 133 inductees and tells the story of baseball through historic artifacts and interactive exhibitions.ST. MARYS TOURISM
In mid-July, the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto announced it was reopening its doors after being shut down for months because of the pandemic.
The hall has now reduced its capacity by 70 per cent and is providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for guests and employees.
For a hockey nation, that was a significant announcement, even symbolically, after months of cancellations of pro leagues, and amateur and local sports around the world. Pro sports leagues have slowly begun to resume play, although stadiums and arenas remain shuttered to fans.
However, there are plenty of options across the province for people needing to get out of their homes after months of self-isolation to help fill that sports void.
Sports halls and museums, golf courses, tennis courts, bike and jogging paths, softball fields and more are opening up, albeit with varying restrictions to help stop the spread of the virus.
“We are starting to have lots of families coming now, with kids,” says Scott Crawford, director of operations at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located in St. Marys, Ont., which is about 170 kilometres southwest of Toronto.
The hall is on a 32-acre site that celebrates Canada’s deep connection to the game, and includes the Harry Simmons Memorial Library, four baseball fields and walking trails. There are currently 133 inductees in the Hall of Fame, ranging from World Series-winning players to grassroots pioneers.
The hall, which opened in 1998, is in St. Marys for a reason – the first recorded game of baseball was held in nearby Beachville on June 4, 1838.
Avid golfers can tee up on hundreds of courses across the province, including the London Forest City National Golf Club in London, Ont.TOURISM LONDON
Crawford says all the safety protocols are in place: A smaller number of people are allowed in the building, social distancing is being observed, masks are mandated, arrows and markers are on the floors, and thorough cleanings are done by staff throughout the day.
With the United States border closed, Crawford says they are counting on more people travelling to the hall from across the province and there is plenty to do for non-baseball fans as well. Visitors can enjoy more than 13 kilometres of walking and cycling trails, as well as swim, canoe, kayak, paddle board and play golf.
“It’s a good way to get out and have a fun day,” he says.
Avid golfers might also want to take a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., says Chamber of Commerce president Eduardo Lafforgue. The Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club, North America’s oldest golf course, is located right on Front Street within walking distance to the main street of downtown. It’s a rarity to find a golf course that close to downtown hotels and restaurants.
“The fact that you can play and see the old houses, the lake, these huge maple trees is unique and special,” Lafforgue says.
Another popular summertime activity, Lafforgue says, is bike riding from the downtown to the wineries in the area for tastings on the winery patios. In the nearby Niagara Falls region, cyclists have 56 kilometres of bike trails along the Niagara Parkway on which to ride.
Less competitive types who are looking for outdoor activity in scenic surroundings can go for bike rides on the many trails that Ontario has to offer.NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Niagara Falls also boasts two of the best golf courses in the country – Legends on the Niagara and the Whirlpool Golf Course.
In picturesque London, Ont., golfers have a number of courses to choose from, says Natalie Wakabayashi, director of culture and entertainment tourism at Tourism London and an avid golfer herself. A favourite among locals is Thames Valley Golf Club, which is situated along the Thames River and just 10 minutes from downtown. Other popular courses include FireRock Golf Club in nearby Komoka, Ont., and the Forest City National Golf Club.
“There is a great selection of courses here, with picturesque holes along the river and lake,” Wakabayashi says. Hiking, biking and walking trails are other popular reasons why sports enthusiasts come to the city.
The Central Counties region of the province – which encompasses the Headwaters, York and Durham regions – is another popular spot for both seasoned and beginner golfers.
Mayfield Golf Club in Caledon East, Ont., offers a selection of programs for the increasing number of people who want to learn the game, says Susan Boyle, director of tourism for Central Counties Tourism. There you can learn about golf etiquette, basic biomechanics to help play the game and ways to improve your short game, which is key to scoring well.
Other destinations that will tempt golfers to toss the clubs into the back of the car and make the drive to Central Counties are such world-class courses as Angus Glen north of Toronto in Markham, Ont., and Wooden Sticks and Royal Ashburn in Durham Region.
Ontarians have so much available in their own backyard for active pursuits after months of lockdown. Grace Sammut, executive director of Resorts of Ontario, says that with the announcement that most regions of the province have moved to Stage 3, which allows for more places to reopen and larger gatherings of people, more sports activities are now available, such as tennis, volleyball and basketball.
Summer has always been a favourite season for Canadians, and after months of being cooped up because of the pandemic, people are eager to get outdoors and get active. Vacations farther afield still aren’t possible so there’s no reason to not make this summer the one in which to explore more immediate surroundings
“Ontario is made for adventure,” Sammut says.
“It is really all right here, a short drive away. Sports fans can get as active as they wish in resort country.”
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