Learn more about the YMCA’s new measures and procedures for visiting our facilities and participating in our activities. Because the situation is constantly evolving, some measures and procedures are subject to change in order to guarantee everyone’s safety at all times. We will keep you informed of any changes as they arise.
Please follow the measures that are in place to ensure your safety as well as the safety of other participants and our employees. We will have a zero-tolerance policy: violations will not be tolerated.
Coming to the YMCA
- There will only be one entrance at each centre that will serve as a checkpoint to screen all members, employees and suppliers. Anyone who enters the centre will have to disinfect their hands when they arrive, wear a mask and answer six questions about their health.
- There will be cones or markers on the ground indicating where people should stand in line. In the centre, there will be arrows on the floor to signal the direction of foot traffic. Please be patient and courteous when getting around the centre.
- You will notice that there will be additional hand sanitizer stations throughout the centre and most of the furniture will have been removed, except for a few chairs for people with reduced mobility. Also, most common areas will be closed.
- Only people who have a reservation* will be admitted into the centre and they will be able to go into the centre no earlier than 15 minutes before their reserved timeslot.
*No reservation required for the lanes swim City and for open swim.
Wearing a mask
- You will have to wear a mask to enter and use our facilities. However, you will not have to wear it while exercising, but you will have to stay at least 2 metres away from others at all times.
- If you need to take a photo for your membership card, you will have to remove your mask first.
Changing rooms, personal lockers and showers
- As far as possible, participants are invited to arrive ready for their activity.
- You will have access to the changing rooms, but there will fewer lockers available. If you have a personal locker, you will be able to use it, but please be patient and use your judgment if another member is using the locker next to yours.
- You will also have access to showers because they are equipped with dividers that make distancing possible.
- We will be adding more hand sanitizer stations and cleaning the facilities more frequently. Disinfectant spray and paper towels will also be made available if you would like to disinfect hair dryers, counters, door handles or any other surfaces before and after you touch them.
Water fountains
Authorities strongly recommend not drinking directly from water fountains, but you may choose to refill your reusable water bottle at your own risk. However, we suggest that you fill your bottle before coming to the centre, if you can.
Elevator
Depending on its capacity, only one or two people, or members of the same household, will be permitted in the elevator at the same time.
Front desk
- The courtesy phone will be removed and may only be used in the event of an emergency.
- You will not be able to touch or try on items that are for sale at the Y Boutique or return them after purchase.
- We strongly recommend that you only pay with a card and avoid handling cash.
Open swim
- Wearing a mask will be mandatory in the pool area.
- The number of participants in the open swim periods will be limited to comply with physical distancing measures. Participants will be admitted on a first come, first served basis.
- Equipment cannot be lent out (except for personal floatation devices).
- You will have to bring your own equipment and keep what you bring to a minimum (boards, goggles, flippers, pull buoys, paddles, etc.).
- Bathing caps cannot be lent out
Conditioning room
You will have to reserve a timeslot to use the conditioning room so it can be kept under capacity at all times. Please note that the reservation system will offer you a 75-minute timeslot, but you will only have access to the conditioning room for the first 60 minutes of this timeslot; the last 15 minutes will be reserved for cleaning.
You will only be able to reserve a one-hour timeslot for the conditioning room per day.
Please note that:
- Our team will disinfect the conditioning room between reservation periods.
- A staff member will greet you and check who is entering and leaving the conditioning room.
- There will be additional hand sanitizer stations.
- You will have to wear a mask when circulating around the conditioning room, but you will be able to take it off while exercising.
- We recommend that you do not touch your face during your workouts.
- You will have to keep 2 metres away from other members and employees at all times, including when using the running track.
Conditioning room machines and equipment
Cardio and weight machines:
- Will be moved or spaced out to comply with distancing guidelines.
- Will be unplugged and will have a sign or tape on them if they are out of use.
- Will have to be disinfected BEFORE and AFTER use (the disinfectant spray must be sprayed onto a paper towel and not directly on the machine’s electronic display panel).
Super series using several machines at once will not be permitted.
Free weights such as dumbbells, barbells and kettlebells will be disinfected at your discretion; employees will regularly disinfect them.
Benches:
- Will be positioned over an ‘X’ on the ground to comply with distancing guidelines.
- Will have to be disinfected by members BEFORE and AFTER use.
- Will be disinfected by employees regularly.
Small equipment:
- Will be removed if it cannot be disinfected.
- Will have to be disinfected by members BEFORE and AFTER use.
- Will be disinfected by employees regularly.
Mats (if there is a stretching station):
- Will be placed in predetermined areas to comply with distancing guidelines.
- Will have to be disinfected by members BEFORE and AFTER use.
Towel service
Towel service will be unavailable until further notice. We recommend that you bring your own towel, if needed.
Whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms
Whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms will remain closed until further notice because it is not possible to follow physical distancing measures in these facilities.
If you are showing symptoms associated with COVID-19
You must immediately notify staff members if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19. If you cannot leave the site immediately, you will have to wait in an isolation room that has been made available for this purpose.