As 2019 passes into the pages of history, many Windsor-Essex businesses will start the new year closed or on shortened hours.
Canada Post will deliver mail on New Year's Eve but not New Year's Day. Service Ontario branches will close at either 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. Tuesday, depending on the location. All offices are closed Wednesday, though some transactions can be performed online.
New Year’s Day is a statutory holiday, which means all federal, provincial and municipal offices will also be closed. All municipal offices in Windsor-Essex are expected to reopen on Thursday, but you should check your municipality's website for more specific information.
All Beer Store locations and the LCBO will close at 6 p.m. New Year's Eve and remain closed New Year's Day. Regular hours resume at both businesses on Thursday.
All branches of the Windsor Public Library are open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Wednesday. All Essex County Library branches are closed and reopen Thursday.
Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets in LaSalle, as well as Tecumseh Mall, will be open Tuesday until 5 p.m. Devonshire Mall will close at 6 p.m. All three malls are closed Wednesday.
Many area big-box stores and chain restaurants will close early New Year's Eve and stay closed New Year's Day, but some will be open. If you are planning to go out for some shopping or a bite to eat, you should your favourite location directly to avoid a wasted trip.
All public school boards will resume classes on Monday, January 6. The winter semester also begins Monday at the University of Windsor, as well as all St. Clair College campuses in Windsor and Chatham.
Windsor
The city's 311 call centre will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. New Year's Eve and closed New Year's Day, but the 211 call centre will be open 24 hours as usual.
Commercial garbage collection will take place as usual Wednesday, but residential garbage pickup will be delayed. Please refer to your collection schedule and plan accordingly.
The public drop-off and household chemical waste depot at E.C. Row and Central Ave will be open New Year's Eve but closed New Year’s Day. Regular business hours during the winter are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be no parking enforcement on Wednesday, and all metered parking will be free. Parking enforcement payment offices will be closed, though payments can still be made online.
Transit Windsor buses will run on a regular schedule on New Year's Eve and a Sunday schedule New Year's Day. The same goes for the tunnel bus to Detroit.
All community centres, customer care branches and arenas will close at 2 p.m. Tuesday and remain closed Wednesday except for previously-scheduled rentals. Community centre and arena hours for the remainder of the holiday break can be seen on the city's official website.
Bright Lights Windsor in Jackson Park is open every night from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Tuesday, January 7.
Adventure Bay Family Water Park will be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours are extended to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Amherstburg
The next public meeting of Amherstburg Town Council is on Monday, January 13.
The Light Up the Town holiday light display is open every night through February 16. The Gingerbread Warming House in “Toddy” Jones Park is open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with its final night on Sunday.
Essex
Free recreational swimming will be held on New Year's Eve from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Essex Recreation Centre. Open skating is offered from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Essex Centre Complex, then from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Harrow Arena.
On New Year's Day, there is free swimming at the Essex Recreation Centre from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Otherwise; all facilities are closed Wednesday.
A complete listing of activities for the rest of the winter holiday break is available at the town's official website.
The next meeting of Essex Town Council takes place on Monday, January 13, with budget deliberations.
Kingsville
The Fantasy of Lights is on every night in Lakeside Park through Wednesday, January 8.
Kingsville Town Council will meet next on Monday, January 13.
LaSalle
The Vollmer Complex will be open on New Year's Eve for an afternoon of family activities. Free recreational swimming and skating are being offered in 45-minute intervals beginning at 1 p.m., with the last session beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Register for your spot at the town's official website as space always fills fast.
A free fireworks show is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
The complex is closed New Year's Day. A special holiday break day camp is offered on Thursday and Friday. Cost is $35 per day, and you must register in advance as spaces fill quickly.
LaSalle Town Council will next meet at the Civic Centre on Tuesday, January 14.
Lakeshore
The Atlas Tube Centre is open Tuesday for free public swimming from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., then from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free public skating and a free gymnasium session will be offered from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. A free fireworks display is set for 7:30 p.m on the Atlas Tube soccer fields.
The centre is closed on Wednesday.
Garbage and recycling collection for Area 1 will take place on Thursday. Areas 2 and 3 will be handled on Friday.
The next meeting of Lakeshore Town Council is Tuesday, January 14.
Leamington
On Tuesday, the Kinsmen Recreation Centre is open from 6 a.m. to noon and closed Wednesday.
The Leamington-to-Windsor transit service (LTW) will run on New Year's Eve, but not on New Year's Day.
The next meeting of Leamington Council is on Tuesday, January 14.
Tecumseh
The next meeting of Tecumseh Town Council will be on Tuesday, January 14.
Tecumseh Arena will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, except for previously-scheduled rentals.
Garbage collection, usually done on Thursday, will be pushed back to Friday. Curbside Christmas tree collection will take place on Monday, January 13.
