Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that all schools in Washington state will close March 16 through at least April 24, 2020. In support of the national, state, and local efforts to control and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, the City of Bellingham will close the following government facilities on Monday, March 16 until further notice.
City facility closures include all sponsored and permitted events, programs and activities, in the following City buildings and facilities:
- Bellingham Public Library: All locations of the Bellingham Public Library, including the Central Library, Fairhaven and Barkley branch libraries, and all drop boxes, will be closed to the public. Check www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org for regular updates about library services available to the community during this closure.
- Whatcom Museum: The Whatcom Museum campus, which includes the Lightcatcher building and Family Interactive Gallery, Old City Hall, and the Syre Education Center, will be closed to the public. Check the Whatcom Museum COVID-19 response webpage for regular updates.
- Parks and Recreation: In addition to specific event and facility closures listed below, details about refunds, programming cancellations or postponements can be found here. All parks and trails will remain open to the public. The following building facilities will be closed:
- Bloedel Donovan Park buildings
- Arne Hanna Aquatic center
- Civic Field
- Joe Martin Field
- Woodstock Farm
- Depot Market Square
- Park pavilions
- Public tours of all facilities
All outdoor parks and open spaces will remain open. Public restrooms in City parks will remain open and will be cleaned and maintained.
“In the days and weeks ahead, we will be challenged as a community with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Seth Fleetwood said. “Understandably, there has been much community concern and uncertainty. This is a challenge that in so many respects is unprecedented, but we will meet the challenge and overcome it. Bellingham is a great community and with your support, we will all get through this together. Let us all be patient, helpful and kind.”
