YMCA of Niagara reopens facilities
Members of the YMCA of Niagara craving a return to physical fitness are in luck.
On Wednesday at 8 a.m., the YMCA will reopen its facilities in Grimsby, Port Colborne and St. Catharines to members 13 years of age and older.
“Our team has been working hard to prepare our facilities and programs for our members return to ensure the safety of everyone,” said Steve Boone, the interim CEO of the YMCA of Niagara. “Our facilities meet the highest standards for hygiene and safety and we have modified our policies and programs to facilitate safe social distancing practices. We can’t wait to welcome our members back.”
The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All three facilities will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 5 p.m. daily for a deep cleaning and disinfection. The facilities will be closed on Sundays.
The pool in St. Catharines won’t reopen yet, but the pools in Port Colborne in Grimsby will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Programs for members being offered at this time are: Aquafit; Cardio Mix; Hiit (cycle/strength/row); yoga; pickleball; Gentlefit; lane swim; basketball; Arriba; and, strength. Members can also book an individual workout space for up to 60 minutes for functional training, free weights, selected strength and circuits cardio equipment.
Hours of operation, programs and services available will be increased as more members return to the YMCA. There will no day passes, guest passes or swim passes issued to ensure access for members.
Protocols put in place to keep members and staff safe include: masks worn by all members and staff, although, members may remove them when they are settled into their workout station; glass barriers at membership desks; health checks upon entry; single one-way directional entry and exit; change rooms being closed with some exceptions for swimmers; two-metre apart physical distancing measures; increased sanitization and disinfection; increased hand-sanitizing stations; and, limited building access and capped fitness class sizes to support physical distancing.
Members and staff must also complete a wellness check prior to entering YMCA facilities and it may be completed on-line (https://ymcaofniagara.org) up to two hours prior to arrival. After answering three questions, members will see a green screen signifying they are clear to enter the facility or a red screen letting them know they need to wait a bit longer before visiting.
Upon arrival at the YMCA, front desk staff will do a quick temperature check. If the check doesn’t show a fever, members then scan their membership cards and enter the facility.
To help manage and maintain numbers within the building and to ensure there is a spot ready, members must book gyms and fitness classes in advance on the website or by calling the local branch. There is no limit to number of blocks members can book per week. The Fitness Centre doesn’t need to be booked in advance but there will have a maximum number of members able to attend per hour. Members are asked to limit their workout to 60 minutes. Gyms and fitness classes are available for booking using EZ Facility. There is no limit to number of blocks members can book per week.
Donations will continue to be accepted during this time. Click https://ymcaofniagara.org/opportunities-to-give/ to make your gift and help the YMCA continue supporting those in need.
