Hatter Wes Richmond works out at the Downtown YMCA on Monday, the first day the location was reopened to the public after months of health restrictions were imposed across the province to halt the spread of the coronavirus. -- NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The Downtown YMCA reopened to the public Monday with 10 Hatters waiting at the door in the morning following a months-long closure to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Hatter Wes Richmond was one of the first members to return on Monday to use the elliptical workout machines.
“I’ve been working out at home, but you never get as motivated,” he told the News.
“I’ve got a pretty regular routine.”
Officials with the YMCA told the News they are hoping for a return to more regular operations while meeting provincial guidelines and providing a safe experience for the community.
“A tremendous amount of work has gone into reopening,” said YMCA head Sharon Hayward. “There might be an assumption that reopening is as easy and flicking on the lights and opening the doors.”
“It’s a big facility and really even making sure the equipment is properly maintained is a big job.”
Most businesses were forced to close in mid-March as guidelines limiting crowds were brought in.
The province announced in mid-June that fitness facilities could begin offering some services, though private-sector, non-profit and municipal recreation facilities and gyms have reopened in staggered schedules as they grapple with health-related conditions.
Some parts of the Southridge YMCA opened in June, while city facilities at the FLC only reopened in early July. More areas will open up on a week-by-week basis into August.
At the Downtown YMCA location, the indoor pool and hot tubs are not available, though Hayward says she hopes to beat a two-month target date.
The YMCA is also working to meet guidelines and regulations for its after school and childcare programs ahead of September.
Throughout the closure, the YMCA also completed about $150,000 in maintenance and capital projects, including refinishing gym floors, replacing carpet and tiling in various areas and executing a “deep clean” of the entire facility.
For the immediate future, the facility will also have an augmented schedule for workout classes and other programming which is largely conducted by volunteers. Hayward suggests the public learn about changes on the facility’s website.
A floor hockey “mini-league” is operating under specific rules from Alberta Health, she said.
