Libraries, playgrounds, dog parks begin to re-open

City of Ballarat has announced some council facilities including the aquatic centre, libraries and playgrounds will re-open with restrictions in place over the coming week.

Ballarat and Wendouree Libraries will re-open from June 1 from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with a maximum of 20 people allowed in each space at a time.

Library staff will be required to record the information of any visitor who stays at the facility for more than 15 minutes.

All library visits will be restricted to a maximum of one hour and visitors will be encouraged to use the contact free 'self-checkout' or 'click and collect' service for borrowing books and other resources.

Sebastopol Library will remain temporarily closed as it is currently being used for Maternal and Child Health services.

The Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre will run outdoor group training with a 10 person limit from Thursday and will expand to 20 people from June 1.

City of Ballarat has not provided information on the re-opening of the pool and other centre facilities that remain closed.

Parent Place will re-open from June 1 from 10am to 12pm for parents needing to feed and change children or access information.

Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park playground opened on Tuesday.

Eureka Park playground is closed and undergoing safety checks and maintenance.

The council website states all other parks and playgrounds are open pending safety checks that are being completed as 'quickly as possible'.

Information is not yet provided on the re-opening of skate parks.

Off-leash dog parks will reopen from June 1.

Outdoor sports training has resumed in groups of 10 on council land, but must be non-contact. From June 1, the maximum group number is extended to 20.

Sports facility change room facilities will remain closed and participants must arrive changed ready to play and leave without showering or changing. Toilets can be accessed.

Goals for soccer and Australian football are currently being re-installed across sports grounds in response to ground booking schedules, however players must follow physical distancing rules.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Her Majesty's Theatre, Civic Hall, Ballarat Mining Exchange, Eureka Centre, Eureka Aquatic Facility, Robert Clark Horticultural Centre and Conservatory remain closed.

City of Ballarat customer service remains operating by phone call only.

The Ballarat Animal Shelter is open but visitors must phone in advance.

City of Ballarat childcare services are operating.

Physical distancing and hygiene rules apply at all council facilities.

For the full details on facilities, visit ballarat.vic.gov.au/changes-city-ballarat-facilities.