A:

• Thank you for your patience as we took a bit of time to understand the updated health guidance provided by the Government of Alberta and Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health under Step 2 of the “The Path Forward” plan.
• Upon further consultations with the province on restrictions, we now know more and so we can safely offer you more. We’ve also heard from you on how much you are missing your YMCA. We believe that the Y has an obligation to provide safe and quality experiences to our community, especially in moments of great need.

 

YMCA Calgary is now open, with restrictions, in order to meet these new government guidelines and welcome you back.

 

The timing and mix of services offered allows us to:

• recall staff with appropriate notice as we expand offerings
• prepare our facilities for a continued safe, responsible and efficient re-opening after many months of closure
• communicate with you the latest information despite frequent changes in government guidelines due to the pandemic

A: Provincial Health Regulations for indoor fitness significantly limit what we can provide and how you access it. Much of what a membership includes will not yet be available. For example, much of the weight floor equipment and most opportunities to swim as normal are not available under the existing guidelines. Capacity on our weight floors will be much smaller throughout the day, and there will be limited appointments at first. We do not believe it is right to charge a monthly membership when access will be restricted in this way. It is unlikely you will be able to attend daily due to appointments available – pay-as-you-go is a much fairer alternative during this period. The reality is it is unlikely you will be able to attend daily due to the shortage of appointments – pay-as-you-go is a much fairer alternative during this period.

A: The number of certified instructors available limits the quantity of High-Intensity Weight Floor or swimming appointments. Government regulations are specific on the supervision required, and who may carry them out. On average each day you can expect to see:

• Low Intensity appointments= 20-30 appointment slots/per hour/per location
• High Intensity appointments=3-5 appointment slots/per hour/per location
• Lane Swimming appointments= 15 appointment slots/per day/per location
• Schedules for Group Fitness Classes will be posted in each YMCA location and available on the YMCA Calgary App

A: Provincial health regulations require 1-to-1 supervision of all high intensity drop-in bookings and swimming. Under current guidelines, that means a YMCA staff member must supervise you individually as you carry out those activities. The number of certified instructors available limits the quantity of High Intensity Weight Floor or Swimming appointments. Government regulations are specific on the supervision required, and who may carry them out.

A: YMCA Calgary decided to re-open despite significant restrictions because the Y has an obligation to provide safe and quality experiences to our community, especially in moments of great need. This will give more members of our community safe access to quality recreation opportunities to support both their physical and mental health. It will also put us in a better position to re-open more thoroughly and more quickly when restrictions are loosened.

A: Before COVID-19, “Drop In Access” to the YMCA has been priced at $16 for adults for many years. This price has not changed. Many of the current appointments must also be staffed 1-to-1 to comply with the provincial regulations. Everyone will have access to the same amenities and level of service. Therefore, we are charging one rate for all. Reduced pricing is available for ages 12+ to access High & Low Intensity appointments and Supervised Lane Swim. To book these appointments for youth please contact Member Services directly, as they are not available online. As in all YMCA programs and drop-in bookings, financial assistance is available to those requiring it. At the YMCA, no one is turned away.

A: YMCA Calgary provides financial assistance for those who wish to register for membership, programs, or camps, but cannot afford the full registration fee. Any individuals and/or families that were receiving financial assistance before prior to the closure of the YMCA will continue to have that honoured for the remainder of their membership term. For individuals and families whose financial circumstance have changed in light of the COVID 19 pandemic, they will be able to apply for financial assistance by either providing proof that they have been approved through any of our partner organizations (City of Calgary, AISH, Health Benefits card etc.) or by providing documentation showing they received or qualified for EI benefits. All individuals and families who meet this criterion will be approved for three months and then will need to re-apply to continue their assistance.

A: We all hope this is for a concise period. Membership will be re-activated, and YMCA facilities will extend hours as soon as we can provide a service-level equal to that seen in late 2020 or better. That includes unsupervised access to the weight floor and swimming opportunities. We will return to this level of service very quickly following a change in health regulations.

A: YMCA Calgary is a health and wellness organization. Throughout the pandemic, we have committed to put people first and to follow the guidance of the Provincial Government and Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Allowing unsupervised access to our weight floors and pools would be in breach of the current regulations and would not be putting the safety of our members, participants, or staff first.

A: Provincial health regulations specifically forbid “drop-in” bookings. However, the provincial definition of “drop-in” means no appointment is necessary. All our current activities require appointments. The long-standing YMCA definition of “drop-in” effectively means “service not accessed through membership” – i.e., you pay-as-you-go.

A: Some may be interpreting the rules differently. YMCA Calgary believes it is responsible to follow the guidelines set forth by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health to keep our members, participants, staff, and volunteers safe.