Military training taking place around Woodlawn Memorial Park starting Friday

Residents may be seeing military vehicles and personnel moving around Guelph this month.

The Canadian Army Reserve from Guelph’s 11th Field Regiment, RCA will be conducting artillery training in the vicinity of Woodlawn Memorial Park in Guelph, Ontario from Friday to May 30.

A release from the 31 Canadian Brigade Group explains the training being conducted is in order to test local Canadian Army Reserve members on basic level courses so they are prepared to participate in future Canadian Armed Forces operations.

Officials say activities include the movement of vehicles towing howitzers, set-up and tear-down of artillery equipment, and various soldier drills. These activities are planning to take place Thursday and Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The release explains residents may see military vehicles and personnel participating in the exercise with unloaded weapons, but no ammunition will be fired during these exercises.

During this time, all participating soldiers will be following enhanced Force Health Protection Measures, based on and in addition to Public Health guidelines, including wearing masks, extra sanitizing of equipment and hands, and physical distancing where possible. 

The release mentions participants will also remain isolated from the public and will be conducting pre-training screening.

Residents are being encouraged to take extra caution when approaching military vehicles and are thanked in advance for their understanding and co-operation.