Got a dance class or music lessons to give, but lack the space due to COVID-19 restrictions?

Barrie’s Business in the Parks pilot program runs until the end of October and it may be the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs and instructors to give clients a little breathing space amid the pandemic, the city’s economic and creative development director, Stephannie Schlichter, said.

“The program provided the city with the opportunity to offer a service to local businesses during a time when physical distancing is essential, while still allowing them to operate safely,” she said, noting two bookings have been made through the program so far. “We hope to grow this program in the future and offer more opportunities for local companies and organizations to benefit from reserving designated city spaces.”

Council authorized the program in August. It allocates space at Meridian Square and the Kiwanis Pavilion, near the Southshore Community Centre, to commercial and event-based businesses for half- and full-day blocks.

Those businesses can offer private dance, fitness and music classes, art workshops and similar activities. Customers pay a fee and members of the public are barred from the area during the booking.

For more information, visit .