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Wasaga Beach sets up crowd-control pods along Beach Drive

The four pods will be policed by nine ambassadors who will be limiting the number of people inside, and prohibiting organized activity, smoking, pets, and cooking
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The Town of Wasaga Beach will reopen its sand-covered Beach Drive pod-style. 

The town approved a plan today to divide Beach Drive into four pods with capacity in each pod ranging from 113 people to 254 people. The pods will be between 11,300 square feet and 25,400 square feet, and will be physically sectioned off.

One of the pods will be reserved for residents of the municipality. The other three are open for anyone to use. 

The pods will be policed by nine ambassadors hired by the town. They will count those coming and going from the pod and will give hand stamps for pod users, though admission is free. 

To access the resident-only pod you'll have to show proof of address with your drivers' licence, tax bill, or other identification. 

If you're in a pod, you won't be allowed to participate in "organized activities" such as frisbee or soccer, you'll have to practice physical distancing, and there is no smoking or pets allowed in the pods. Also, no barbecues.

Beach ambassadors will be scheduled Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Anyone who enters a closed pod can be fined $350 for trespassing. 

According to a news release from the Town of Wasaga Beach, the plan was influenced by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit guidance for public beaches. 

The town closed the portion of the beach controlled by the municipality on July 2, and cut municipal beachfront parking in half. Beach Drive was fenced and roped off. 

Council approved the pod plan at a special meeting today. 


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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