Hundreds of Brampton residents are calling on the city to undo service changes and cuts to Brampton Recreation centres through a petition.<\/p>\n
New hours of operation came into effect across Brampton Recreation centres on Friday, along with the complete closure of the Greenbriar Recreation Centre for the summer season<\/a> as part of planned operational adjustments.<\/p>\n Changes include the Gore Meadows recreation centre staying open half an hour longer (open until 11 p.m.) on Weekdays, while the Susan Fennel rec centre and the Riverstone Community centre now close an hour earlier at 10 p.m. and 9 p.m. respectively.<\/p>\n Some \u201cspecialized facilities\u201d have varying new hours of operation, like the Chinguacousy Park which is now open until 8 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. daily.<\/p>\n And while the city says the changes will \u201ccreate consistency\u201d and \u201creflect how residents use facilities,\u201d a petition calling for the city to reverse the cuts says reduced hours means fewer opportunities for residents with busy schedules.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people, especially those with full-time jobs, caregiving responsibilities, or other daytime commitments depend on evening access after 8 p.m. for fitness, programs, and community connection. Eliminating late classes and gym time effectively excludes a large portion of our community,\u201d the petition reads.<\/p>\n The petition is urging the city to maintain the previous operating hours across all recreation centres and programs, ensure fair and consistent access across locations, and \u201cengage in meaningful consultation with residents and staff before making changes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRecreation centres are more than fitness spaces. They are essential hubs for social connection and mental well-being. Limiting evening access disrupts routines, reduces opportunities to connect, and risks increasing isolation,\u201d the petition reads.<\/p>\n The petition received over 460 signatures<\/a> as of Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n Residents can check online or with their local recreation centre for updated schedules<\/a>. Members can continue to access any recreation centre across the city, giving residents the flexibility to choose locations best suited to their needs.<\/p>\n Registration for citywide recreation programs begins on June 1, with programs available to view starting May 18. Registration opens at 7 a.m. for all programs. For more information, visit brampton.ca\/registerforprograms<\/a>.<\/p>\n