COVID-19 Update Re-opening announcement

 

 

YMCA of Eastern Ontario Announces Re-opening Date

Brockville & Kingston, ON – Following the provincial government’s announcement of the move to Phase III of re-openings for most of Ontario, the YMCA of Eastern Ontario is announcing its re-opening date as September 1, 2020.

“We are excited about welcoming back our members, volunteers and staff,” said Rob Adams, CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “We also want to ensure that we get this right. We recently surveyed our members and are putting in place safety measures to address their concerns about sanitization and physical spacing, as examples. We also want our staff to be fully trained in new procedures. All our decisions around the pandemic have been made with safety as our first priority. Our re-opening will be no different.”

With public health and provincial guidelines in mind, the YMCA will look different than the day it closed on March 15, 2020.

Hours at both Brockville and Kingston locations will be somewhat reduced with a two-hour closure midday from Monday to Friday for intensive cleaning. Some gym equipment has been removed to allow for safe distancing while favourite group fit classes will continue to be offered, but on a reduced schedule. Both pools will be open, but the saunas and hot tub will remain closed, as per provincial requirements.

“One of the things we heard from our members in our survey was their desire to not be so over-burdened by process that their experience at their Y becomes less enjoyable,” Adams said. “In response to this, our programs will continue to be offered on a drop-in basis, at least in the initial phase.”

Re-opening in a phased approach, allows the Y to ensure the new processes are working and to begin to generate revenue while operating in a safe manner.

“Fiscal responsibility is critical for charitable organizations like the Y,” said Adams. “We are opening in a phased approach to ensure the long-term viability of our programs in service to our communities.”

The YMCA will be providing weekly updates on re-opening.

For questions about membership, people can contact:

Brockville: yba.ymca@eo.ymca.ca

Kingston: kng.membership@eo.ymca.ca

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For information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Colleen Gareau

Director, Marketing and Communications

YMCA of Eastern Ontario

613-888-9298