Facilities guide

COVID-19 Related Measures

• Anyone who enters the centre will have to disinfect their hands when they arrive, wear a mask and answer four questions about their health.
• Since wearing a mask is mandatory in indoor public spaces as of July 18, 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• To learn all about our new procedures, please read the Member Guide online or download the PDF.

Security

• We strongly suggest that you leave your wallet, keys, watch, and other valuables in one of our free safe deposit boxes near the front desk.
• The YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items other than resulting from the personal responsibility of the YMCA or one of its representatives.

Lost objects

• Lost objects are kept at the front desk for a period of one month.

With your membership, you can use the gym to play basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, pickleball, and much more. Check out your centre’s schedule to learn more about different activities.

Some equipment, including balls and nets, are available free of charge. Hand in your card at the front desk and we’ll issue the appropriate equipment in exchange.

Team sports – open or supervised (starting on October 13)

• Team sports (such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball) will be added to programming starting on October 13, depending on government guidelines.
• You will have to reserve your spot at the front desk.
• You will have to wear a mask and wash your hands when you arrive at the centre. You will have to keep your mask at all times (even when you are on the bench).
• You will have to follow physical distancing guidelines at all times.
• Balloons and equipment will be disinfected before and after use.
• Only full-court 3X3 basketball is allowed.

Racquet sports

• You will have to reserve your badminton and pickeball courts online.
• You will be able to play singles badminton and pickleball. 

General guidelines

• Please wear clean shoes.
• Food and glass containers are not permitted in the gym.
• Outdoor clothing and bags must be stored in the locker room.

Most of our centres have a pool and offer different aquatic activities: laps, free swim, aquafit, swim lessons for children and adults, and more.

COVID19 related measures

Lane swimming (starting on September 8)

• Wearing a mask will be mandatory in the pool area.
• A spot must be reserved for YMCA lane swim periods. The reservation system will offer you a 60-minute timeslot. However, please note that you will only have access to the pool for the first 50 minutes of your timeslot; the last 10 minutes will be reserved for cleaning.
• The number of participants in the City’s lane 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.

Open swim (starting on September 8)

• 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.).

Aquafit (starting on September 8)

• Wearing a mask will be mandatory in the pool area.
• You will have to reserve a spot to participate in aquafit classes.
• The instructor will teach the entire class from outside the pool.
• No equipment may be used.
• The maximum number of participants will be based on ARAQ guidelines for the shallow end of the pool.
• You will have to stay at least 2 metres away from others at all times.

Private swimming lessons

• Wearing a mask will be mandatory in the pool area.
• Private lessons can be offered if distancing is possible or if the swimmer is accompanied by a member of their household who is at least 16 years old.
• The instructor will teach the lesson from outside the pool or will stay at least 2 metres away from participants at all times.

Group swimming lessons (starting on October 13)

• Swimming lessons for children and adults will resume on October 13. The programming will be published on our website on September 14. You will be able to register on September 21.
• The number of participants during the swimming lessons will be limited to 5 participants to comply with physical distancing measures.
• Swimming lessons will not be offered if participants are unable to keep a 2-metre distance from each other.
• The instructor will teach the lesson from outside the pool or will stay at least 2 metres away from participants at all times.
• Splashers to Swimmer will be offered as a parented course (mandatory for parent/guardian to be in pool with child). It will be the parent who will maintain physical contact with child.
• All parents must sign the Assumption of Risk form prior to the first lesson.

Lifesaving courses (starting on October 13))

• Lifesaving courses will resume on October 13. The programming will be published on our website on September 14. You will be able to register on September 21.
• The instructor will teach the lesson from outside the pool or will stay at least 2 metres away from participants at all times.
• All recommendations given by the Lifesaving Society will be always respected.
• Participants must bring 3-5 masks to each class (we will not provide any masks)

General guidelines

• Swim caps are compulsory in the pool and recreational pool.  
• Shoes are not allowed around the pool.  
• Showers are mandatory prior to entering the pool and after using the toilet facilities.
• Regular diapers are not permitted in the pool and recreational pool. Please use the appropriate swim diapers for your children.   
• Swimwear of all users must be suitable for swimming in general and not impair swimming skills.  
• Running or jostling around the pool is not permitted.
• Food and glass containers of any kind are not permitted in the pool area.
• Please bring a towel to sit on and wear in the sauna and steam room.

Age guidelines

• Children aged 8 and under or children who do not know how to swim must be accompanied (within arm’s reach) by a person aged 16 or over at all times.  
• Children aged 8 to 11 can enter the water alone, provided that they know how to swim (the child can swim a distance of at least 10 metres). However, they must be accompanied to the locker room, pool and aquatic facilities by an adult (age 16 or over). 
• Children aged 12 and over are welcome to use the pool and the recreational pool unaccompanied.  

Sauna, hot tub and steam room (temporarily closed)

• Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the sauna, hot tub or steam room.
• Children aged 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult in the sauna, hot tub or steam room.

Each YMCA conditioning room has cardio and weight machines, an area reserved for fitness equipment and free weights. Specific equipment varies by centre.

Whether you want to learn how to use a machine or make sure that you’re doing an exercise correctly, the conditioning room staff is ready to help. Just ask!

COVID-19 related measures

To learn all about our new procedures, please read the Member Guide online or download the PDF.

• You will have to reserve a timeslot to use the conditioning room so it can be kept under capacity at all times. 
• 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.
• You will have to disinfected the machines and equipment BEFORE and AFTER use.

General guidelines

• Bringing a towel is strongly recommended.
• Please clean machines with the provided disinfectant and paper towels after use.
• It’s prohibited to take unauthorized photos or videos in the conditioning room.
• Food is not permitted in the conditioning room.
• Outdoor clothing and bags must be stored in the locker room.
• Only YMCA certified private trainers are allowed to offer private training sessions.
• Please respect the time limit displayed on machines. 
• Please put equipment back in its proper place after use.

Age guidelines

• Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the conditioning room.  
• All members between the ages of 12 and 17 must complete the free Teen Fitness clinic before being permitted to use the conditioning room.
• Guests who are under the age of 18 are not allowed in the conditioning room unless they are accompanied by a parent or another adult.

Mandatory Teen Fitness Clinic

• The Teen Fitness Clinic is a free orientation that all members aged 12 to 17 must take before they can use the conditioning room. This 90-minute orientation focuses on how to safely use equipment and offers fitness advice for teens. Each participant receives a personalized training program at the end of the clinic.   
• When registering at the front desk, teens receive a consent form. They must get their parent or legal guardian to sign the form and bring it with them to the meeting. At the end of the clinic, teens receive a sticker for their membership card; they must always have their membership card with them when they’re in the conditioning room.
• If the trainer who is leading the clinic believes that the teen is not yet able to perform their fitness program safely, the trainer can ask the teen to come back for a second meeting before giving them a sticker.

General guidelines

• Please arrive on time to not miss warm up.  
• Wait until the previous class has finished before entering the studio or setting up equipment.
• Please clean machines with the provided disinfectant and paper towels after use.
• Please return equipment to its proper place after each class.
• Please wear clean, non-marking shoes.
• It’s forbidden to take unauthorized photos or videos, or to talk on your cellphone group during classes. 
• Food and beverages are not allowed, except water.
• Bringing towel and a water bottle is strongly recommended.

Cycling guidelines

• Because there are a limited number of bikes, cards are handed out at the front desk 20 minutes before the start of the class. Only participants who have a card can access to the cycling studio. 
• To ensure the comfort and safety of all participants, please arrive a few minutes before the start of class to adjust your bike.  Don’t hesitate to ask the instructor for help, if needed.

Age guidelines

• Children aged 12 and over are welcome in all group classes.
• Some classes are specifically designed for families or children under the age of 12. For a list of classes, please see the schedule or ask the front desk.