The Government of Alberta declared a state of public health emergency on November 24^th with new mandatory measures coming into effect on November 27^th. Details on these restrictions can be found here.
 

All YMCA group fitness classes, group children’s classes and drop-in programs between November 27 – December 18 are cancelled.

 Covid-19 Procedures

The YMCA takes the health and safety of members, employees, and volunteers very seriously. We are proud to comply with all Covid-19 public health requirements, including:

• All people (i.e., members, employees, and volunteers) entering YMCA facilities are required to complete the Covid screening form and sanitize their hands
• Increased sanitation of all high touch surfaces
• Capacity restrictions throughout the building, ensuring no room goes over 25% of its rated fired code occupancy
• All members are required to wipe down and sanitize their equipment BEFORE and AFTER using it
• Physical layout of equipment has been updated to ensure 6 ft of distance, where possible. Members are asked to use orange cones to block off equipment next to them/their household cohort for the duration of their workout to ensure distance is maintained
• All employees are required to wear masks when unable to maintain 6 feet of distance between other people
• Regular Covid-19 Public Health inspections are occurring to ensure the YMCA is meeting or exceeding guidelines
• We strongly recommend that all members wear masks when in our facilities, except when exercising. Our buildings have many small spaces where maintaining 6 ft of space is impossible. 

Safety during COVID-19 is everyone’s responsibility. While the YMCA has made the above changes to follow all public health regulations, each member is ultimately responsible for the choices they make while in our facility.

The YMCA requires all individuals in our programs/facilities to comply with COVID-19 regulations at all times.

Health, Fitness & Aquatics (HFA)
 

HOT TUBS & STEAM ROOMS
We are pleased to share that the repairs to the hot tub in the Men's Health Plus have been completed, the chemicals are balanced and Alberta Health Services has approved our water tests.

Please remember to enjoy the YMCA's hot tubs and steam rooms responsibly by following all COVID-19 regulations.

MEMBERSHIP
 
Online Booking – It’s in Your Best Interest!

Effective December 7th, all members are asked to book their workout times in advance through their Member Portal. 

Due to the newly announced capacity restrictions for recreation centres, we are asking for members' help. Booking your workouts in advance will help us manage our space more effectively to ensure that everyone has a chance to use our facilities. While members may still drop in for their workouts, please be advised that the likelihood of having to wait until space is available in the facility will be higher than it has been previously due to these capacity limitations.
 
YMCA Member Portal
Your portal can be accessed from the YMCA’s website: https://medicinehatymca.ca/ by clicking on the green MEMBER PORTAL button on the top left side of the screen.  If you are experiencing any technical issues with your portal or would like some help learning how to use it, please stop by one of Membership Services desk for assistance. You do require access to your portal to book fitness times, squash courts, swim lanes, etc.
 
Membership Cards
A friendly reminder that all members must scan into our HFA facilities with their membership card. If cards have gone missing, they can be replaced at our Membership Services desk for a $10 fee. No entry to our facilities is permitted without scanning in.
 
Membership Cancellations and Holds
A reminder that all membership holds and cancellations need to be done in person at one of our Membership Services desk. To ensure the accuracy and follow through of all requests, we are unable to accept cancellation or hold requests via email or over the phone. Both Membership Services desks are located next to our front entrances and are equipped with plexiglass to protect members and employees during their interactions. Members are also strongly encouraged to wear masks when in our facilities (aside from when exercising). Please remember that any changes to memberships need to be made at least 8 days prior to the next payment date.
 
 

HFA Children's Programming and Swimming Lessons

Effective November 27 – December 18, all preschool and youth group programming is cancelled.

Members may want to consider putting their child’s memberships on hold during this time and can do so by speaking to the membership services desk in-person. We will extend Session 2 and resume the current schedule on January 11, 2021. This means that children currently registered in swimming lessons and HFA programs will continue as scheduled starting January 11^th and will then be able to complete the remaining 7 weeks of their programs.  

 
Child Minding
 

Due to the new capacity and cohort restrictions, we will be unable to operate child minding between November 27 – December 18.

Please watch for updates on when child minding can resume.
 

Lane Swimming
Individual lane swimming is available. As swimming lessons have been temporarily cancelled, we will return to 4 lanes with extended hours. Lanes must be pre-booked. As of December 7^th, we ask that you book all lane swim times through the Member Portal.  
 
Climbing Wall
The wall will be available for open climb provided that only one individual/household cohort uses it at a time. Members will be required to book their times in advance using the Member Portal to ensure that staff have enough time to disinfect between climbers.As of December 7^th, we ask that you book all climbing wall times through the Member Portal.  
 
 

Fitness

Group Fitness & Drop-In Programs
 

All group fitness classes and drop-in programs between November 27 – December 18 are cancelled.

 Drop in programs include group activities like pickleball, basketball, floor hockey and squash. Please note, these activities may continue individually or within household cohorts, however, during this time no other groups can participate in these activities together.

Group Fitness Online!
Although in person group fitness classes are temporarily on hold, the YMCA is pleased to start offering fitness classes to our members in an online format through Facebook Live. We have created a private group available only to YMCA members where classes will be live streamed. If you would like access to these classes, please contact Fitness Manager, Jordon Sager at jordon.sager@medicinehatymca.ca or 403-527-4426 x 122.

The Fitness Team is finalizing the online class and instructor schedule and will have this information available on our website by the end of the day tomorrow. 

Equipment Rentals
We recognize that some fitness classes like Spin and Group Power require specialized equipment. We will be offering current members the opportunity to rent this equipment to use at home while classes are online. Anyone interested in renting equipment should contact Fitness Manager, Jordon Sager, at 403-527-4426 x 122 or jordon.sager@medicinehatymca.ca

Personal Training
Individual appointments are available. Please call 403-527-4426 x 102 to book.

Living Fit
Jen is back! We know our Living Fit participants have been eagerly awaiting her return. Jen is available for individual appointments. Please call her to schedule your time at 403-527-4426 x 221

YMCA Child Care

Early Years

John Millar and Crescent Heights Child Development Centres are fully operational, following all COVID-19 regulations to ensure the safety of staff and children. John Millar does have some spaces available and is currently an ELCC-funded centre (i.e., $25/day). If you know anyone who is interested, please have them contact Sandra Warkentin at sandra.warkentin@medicinehatymca.ca or 403-548-1285.
 

Before & After School Care Program
All 11 B&A programs have continued to offer high quality programming, while following all COVID-19 regulations to ensure the safety of staff and children.  
 
Stay tuned for a very exciting announcement next week about upcoming PD Day Camps and Seasonal Day Camps. The YMCA has exciting things planned and once we have had a chance to fully evaluate the impact of the restrictions announced yesterday, we will share them with the community. Please watch our website and social media accounts for updates.
 
 

Employment Services
 

Effective November 27 – December 18, all YMCA employment services in Medicine Hat and Brooks will be by appointment only.
To book an appointment please email: employment@medicinehatymca.ca or call: 403-527-4426 x 409. 

We hosted a second drive-through recruitment event today, supporting various employers in the community. These events are a great way to recruit staff while following all COVID-19 protocols. Any employers interested in participating in future drive-through recruitment events should contact Jodie Engbert at Jodie.engbert@medicinehatymca.ca or 403-527-4426 x 405.