Municipal offices and many services in Chatham-Kent will operate on reduced hours or close entirely over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period, with officials urging residents to plan ahead.
Municipal offices and most services will close at noon on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, and will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1 in recognition of Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Municipal services
All arenas will be closed Dec. 24–26 and Jan. 1. Free skate schedules are available on the municipality’s website.
The Chatham-Kent Public Library will close all branches Dec. 24, 25, 26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, reopening Jan. 2. Virtual services remain available online.
Pools will be closed Dec. 24–26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Ride CK transit services will not operate on Dec. 25, 26 or Jan. 1.
Public works administrative offices will be closed Dec. 24–26 and Jan. 1, though road and water and wastewater emergency services will remain available. Leaf and yard depots, waste depots and transfer stations will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1.
Curbside garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Dec. 25 and 26, or Jan. 1 and 2, will be delayed by one day.
Employment and Social Services, Fleet Services, Housing Services and the Public Utilities Commission will also observe holiday closures, with limited emergency services available where applicable.
Emergency services, including police, fire and ambulance, will continue operating 24 hours a day throughout the holiday period.
Arts, culture and recreation
The Chatham-Kent Museum and Thames Art Gallery will be closed Dec. 24–26, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, reopening on select dates between Dec. 27 and Jan. 4. ARTSpace will be closed Dec. 25–26 and Jan. 1.
CK Tickets box office hours at the Chatham Cultural Centre will vary through the holidays, with reduced hours on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
Public health and health care
CK Public Health offices will close at noon on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, reopening Dec. 27 and Jan. 2 respectively. Essential after-hours services remain available by phone. Well water sample acceptance will pause twice due to lab schedules.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance announced altered services at its Chatham and Wallaceburg sites. While emergency departments will remain open 24 hours a day, several outpatient clinics and services will close on select dates between Dec. 24 and Jan. 1, including rehabilitation services, outpatient labs, specialty clinics and administrative offices.
Outpatient diagnostic testing will continue as scheduled, and inpatient and emergency care will be maintained throughout the holiday season.
Residents are encouraged to check municipal and organizational websites for full schedules and updates before visiting facilities or accessing services during the holidays.
