The University of Guelph’s Department of Athletics willl begin a phased reopening of its fitness and recreation facilities to students, staff and the Guelph community in the coming weeks.
The first phase will see the client services desk in the Guelph Gryphon Athletics Centre reopen on Thursday, Aug. 27, for fitness membership purchases. The fitness centre will reopen Monday, Aug. 31.
There will be several new protocols in place to ensure safety, including limiting the number of visitors and maintaining physical distancing.
“Just as the province of Ontario did, we are taking a phased approach to our reopening,” said Scott McRoberts, U of G’s director of athletics. “Our goal is to provide the safest environment and best experience possible.”
Athletics staff have completed a review and redesign of the athletic centre’s spaces and protocols to ensure they align with public health best practices and regulations. Those protocols include limiting numbers of patrons in the facility, enhancing ongoing sanitation of shared spaces, adjusting facility layouts to ensure movement through fewer access points, and limiting or restricting use of communal spaces.
All fitness centre users must book a time slot before their arrival and to wear a face covering while moving through the centre. Face coverings can be removed during physical activity once you are at your proper location but must be replaced after activity ends.
All change rooms and lockers will be closed, and guests will be offered bins to store their coats and bags.
“We want everyone – from our staff to our clients – to feel safe and comfortable in the space,” said McRoberts. “We will start slowly and safely and listen to feedback from our staff and patrons on how things are working. This will allow us to make adjustments as needed. Once we feel an area is operating well, we will move to the next phase of opening.”
Several facilities at the Athletics Centre will remain closed until provincial regulations change. These include the Athletics Centre rock climbing wall, all intramural leagues for hockey, basketball, soccer, football and water polo, and team locker rooms. All OUA and U Sports competition has also been cancelled for this fall.
U of G’s Department of Athletics will be building on its services this fall with several outdoor fitness events, as well as new virtual fitness classes.
Further details about Gryphon Athletics reopening plans, phases, hours, procedures and FAQs can be found on the new Gryphon Fitness COVID-19 information page.
To learn more about what the U of G student experience will look like this fall, visit the Virtual Campus page.
Contact:
Michelle Pino
mpino@uoguelph.ca