COVID-19 Response


Keeping Our Communities Healthy & Safe 

The health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, members, and the community remain the Y’s number one priority, with activity-specific safety plans and disease prevention measures enhanced while we all work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.  

We have a COVID Safety Plan and Policies in place to ensure we are following the recommendations of the Provincial authorities and any restrictions that have been put in place, and we continue to monitor the situation closely. 
 
As part of this plan, the YMCA has implemented a Mandatory Employee & Volunteer COVID-19 Vaccination Policy to support the safety of our team and those we are privileged to serve.  

All individuals entering the YMCA are kindly asked to self-screen prior to ensure they are not experiencing any symptoms, prior to entering a YMCA facility. 

The YMCA is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful place for all. We respect every individual's personal choice to protect their own health and safety.  

As of March 21st, masking is no longer required. 

YMCA Updates

The Ontario government continues to proceed with the easing of pandemic-related restrictions as public health and health system indicators continue to improve. As of March 21, masking mandates for most indoor settings will be lifted across the Province of Ontario. Individuals will be encouraged to exercise personal choice and assess their own level of risk and comfort as it relates to mask wearing.

Since the onset of the pandemic, we have been committed to following the directions provided by our local public health authorities. As of March 21st, YMCA members and visitors will no longer be required to wear masks while in YMCA facilities.

While masks are no longer required, public health officials continue to remind our communities that masks are an added layer of protection from COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses, particularly in indoor settings.

The YMCA is a safe space for all. We want to reinforce our commitment to respect the personal choice of all our members as we continue to see the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

Thank you for your on-going support of the YMCA.

We are looking forward to welcoming campers back to YMCA Wanakita. The staff team is planning an exciting summer full of all of the experiences we’ve all missed over the past two years.

The health and safety of our campers, staff and volunteers at YMCA Wanakita has always been our top priority. Throughout the pandemic we have often exceeded public health recommendations and guidelines in order to be able to protect our Wanakita community.

With this in mind, YMCA Wanakita is taking steps to minimize potential disruption to our summer programs and ensure the safest possible camp environment.

All eligible campers, ages 5 years and up must be fully vaccinated prior to attending their camp session. Please note that fully vaccinated means the participant has received the full series of COVID-19 doses at least two weeks prior to attending camp.

Camp is a very communal environment. The sharing of accommodations, meal times and program spaces are key to building lasting relationships and a respectful camp community. They are integral components of each camper’s experience.

In addition to our mandatory vaccination policy for staff, extending our vaccination policy for campers is one more way we can ensure a healthy camp community for all, including those with underlying medical conditions.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe camp community. We look forward to seeing you on the shores of Koshlong Lake.

February 24, 2022

Dear YMCA Members...

The Ontario government recently announced their intention to take additional steps to ease public health measures if public health and health system indicators continued to improve. Among the restrictions being lifted is the requirement to show proof of vaccination for those ages 12 years and older, that is currently in place in gyms, including the YMCA.

Since the onset of the pandemic we have been committed to following the directions provided by our local public health authorities. As of March 1st, YMCA members and visitors will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination upon entry to the YMCA.

In addition, the province has outlined a move from active to passive health screening. This means members will no longer be asked a series of questions to validate if they are safe to enter the facility. All individuals entering the YMCA must ensure they are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entry.

The YMCA continues to encourage those who have not been vaccinated or those who are partially vaccinated, to do so. Vaccination is the best method of protecting yourself and those around you from severe illness.

Other health measures will remain in place at your YMCA, including mask wearing throughout the duration of your visit to the YMCA, except while exercising, showering or in the pool.

Thank you for your on-going support of the YMCA.

February 16, 2022

Dear YMCA Members...

On Monday the provincial government announced that capacity limits will be lifted in all public settings, including gyms, where proof of vaccination is currently required, as of Thursday, February 17th.

At the YMCA, we feel encouraged by the loosening of restrictions and we are looking forward to welcoming even more members back to the YMCA.

With this hopeful news also comes some changes to how you access YMCA programs.

Do I need to pre-book my classes and programs prior to coming to the YMCA?

Where programs and classes continue to be restricted by either equipment, space, or staffing, members will be asked to pre-book prior to visiting the YMCA. Programs that require pre-booking include:

  • Lane Swim
  • Aquafit
  • Pickleball
  • Open Gym & Basketball

Members can continue to pre-book these programs through the YMCA Member Portal. All other programs, including your favourite Group Fitness Classes, will return to a drop-in format.

Do I still need to show proof of vaccination?

At this time, members and visitors are still required to complete the health screening and show proof of vaccination to enter the YMCA.

All other health and safety protocols remain in place, including masking throughout the facilities with the exception of while working out, in the pool or when showering.

We look forward to seeing more of you. Wishing you continued good health.

January 20, 2022

Dear Valued YMCA Members…

Today the Ontario government announced a gradual lifting of the most recent public health measures, which will include the reopening of your YMCA on Monday, January 31, 2022.

Upon reopening, all YMCA memberships will be reactivated and membership fees will resume on Monday, January 31, 2022.

Under the provincial reopening plan, YMCAs like other gyms, will reopen at 50% capacity.

To support these safety guidelines, ensure your access to the YMCA, and avoid lineups, members will be required to pre-book their group fitness classes, aquatics programs, and recreational sports, including Open Gym times. Please note that pre-booking workouts in the Fitness Centre is not required at this time.

Bookings will open through the YMCA Portal on Saturday, January 29th.

Important Dates:

  • Reopening Date and Membership Fees Resume: Monday, January 31, 2022
  • Swim Lessons and Child & Youth Programs resume: Monday, January 31, 2022

As a reminder, members must complete the health screening prior to entering the YMCA and all members ages 12 and up must show proof of vaccination (with QR code) upon entry. Masks must be worn while in the YMCA, except while in the pool, showering or exercising.

We know our members are eager to return to their fitness routines, YMCA friends and connections and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon.

Sincerely,

Genevieve Hladysh
Senior Regional Manager, Health, Fitness & Aquatics

January 3, 2022

A Message to Our Valued YMCA Members:

Today, our Provincial government announced that the Province of Ontario would be returning to Step 2 of the provincial reopening plan, beginning Wednesday, January 5th, resulting in the closures of gyms, including the YMCA, for at least 21 days. We support the need to take this necessary step to reduce the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and ease the burden on our local health care system.

To make it convenient for members, we’re taking immediate steps to place all active YMCA memberships on-hold as of Wednesday, January 5th as all YMCA Health, Fitness & Aquatics facilities will be closed.

All memberships will automatically be placed on hold and no membership fees will be charged throughout the duration of the closures. No action is needed on your part. Membership payments will resume upon re-opening and we will give notice to members when that date is known.

How You Can Help

While we are taking immediate steps to place all active YMCA Memberships on hold, we ask members to consider directing their membership fees during this closure period towards a YMCA charitable donation. The pandemic continues to take its toll on many community organizations, including your YMCA. By directing your membership fees to our YMCA's areas of Greatest Need, you help support the continued vitality of your YMCA now and in the months and years ahead.

Donations during the closure and while your membership is on hold will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

I want to donate my fees

Please note that we will not be processing individual membership suspensions or cancellations until re-opening.

To help keep you healthy, active and connected to your Y, please check out the on-demand fitness classes and activities for all ages on our Virtual YMCA at YWeAreHere.ca.

As soon as we get the all clear to re-open again, memberships will be automatically reactivated for re-opening day.

Wishing you continued good health.

December 31, 2021

Yesterday the province announced some changes to COVID-19 testing and quarantine guidelines due to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

As part of our commitment to keep our members safe and do our part to reduce the spread, we have made some additional changes to programs effective January 3, 2022.

Swim Lessons & Children's Programs

Swim lessons and children's programs that were scheduled to restart the week of January 3rd, have now been delayed until January 17th. During this additional two week break, all YMCA Child & Youth memberships and payments will be placed on hold.

Basketball

Basketball will be limited to one individual per net. Members are asked to pre-book their time slot through the YMCA Portal.

Pickleball

Pickleball will be limited to singles play. Members may book their game time through the YMCA Portal.

Racquetball, Squash & Handball

Racquetball, Squash and Handball will remain temporarily closed until January 17th.

All other safety measures including capacity limitations remain in effect at this time. We'd like to remind all members to do their part in ensuring a safe and healthy environment:

  • Masks must be worn at all times when visiting the YMCA, except while taking part in physical activity when safely distanced; while showering; and while in the pool.
  • Clean equipment before and after use.
  • Practice physical distancing at all times.

Like many organizations in the community, we are experiencing shortages across many of our staff teams. The existing shortages, revised quarantine and reduction in PCR testing, means there may be intermittent impacts to programs. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.

Thank you for helping us keep the YMCA a safe and healthy experience for all.

Enhanced Vaccine Certificate Required as of January 4, 2022

Beginning January 4, 2022, Ontarians will be required to use their enhanced vaccine certificate with official QR code when entering certain businesses, including the YMCA. Vaccine receipts without a QR code will no longer be accepted as valid proof of vaccination. To download your enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code, please visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/