What's open and closed in Thunder Bay during the holidays
Businesses and city service schedules will change during Christmas
Christmas is fast approaching, and a visit from Santa isn't the only thing people in Thunder Bay can expect.
The season also means reduced hours, or holiday closures, for businesses, city offices and services, and other amenities.
Here's a look at some of the changes that will be in effect over the holiday season.
Thunder Bay Transit
All city transit buses will run on a holiday schedule on Dec. 25, 26 and 31.
Lift+ services will run from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The transit administration office will close at noon on Dec. 24, and re-open at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 2.
Landfill and waste collection
Waste collection dates will change due to the holidays on Dec. 25, 26 and 31. Details can be found on waste collection calendars, or at thunderbay.ca/garbage.
The city's landfill site on Mapleward Road, meanwhile, will be closed on Dec. 25, Dec. 26, and Jan. 1 (the landfill will also be closed on Dec. 29, as it's normally closed on Sundays).
Outdoor rinks
The city plans to keep the following rinks open and supervised on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, from 1-9 p.m:
- Carrick Park
- North End Community Centre
- West End Park
- West Thunder Community Centre
- Northwood Playfield (James Street)
That is, of course, weather dependent, and changes in the weather can lead to unexpected closures.
All other supervised rinks will be closed from Dec. 24-26, Dec. 31, and Jan. 1.
For more information about rink openings and closures, visit www.thunderbay.ca/rinks.
Thunder Bay Museum
The museum will be closed on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1.
Recreational facilities
The Canada Games Complex will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Volunteer Pool and Churchill Pool will both be closed from Dec. 24-26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Thunder Bay Public Library
All library branches will be closed Dec. 25 and 26, Dec. 29, and Jan. 1, with extended hours beginning on Jan. 2.
For a full list of individual branches and their hours over the holidays, visit the library's website.
District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
The DSSAB's Thunder Bay office will close at noon on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
The office will be closed on Dec. 25 and 26, and Jan. 1.
Fort William Historical Park
The park will be closed from Dec. 24-30, and on Jan. 1.
It will be open on Dec. 31 for the New Year's Family Frolic event, but tours will not take place that day.
Shopping
George's Market and Celebrations will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 24, and closed from Dec. 25-26.
The store will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 31, and close for Jan. 1.
Metro Stores will be open on Dec. 24, but closed on Dec. 25.
The Metro at 1101 Arthur Street West will also close on Dec. 26.
Both Safeway stores will be closed on Dec. 25.
Skaf's Just Basics will be open throughout the holidays.
Intercity Shopping Centre will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1; full holiday hours can be found on the mall's website.
All Thunder Bay LCBO locations will be closed on Dec. 25; the Cumberland Street North and Dawson Road stores will also be closed on Dec. 26.
Finally, all Beer Stores will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 (they'll also close early, at 6 p.m., on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31).
Most Thunder Bay Beer Stores will also be closed on Dec. 26; the exception will be the Fort William Road location, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.