SAFE OPERATIONS

Updated November 5, 2021

Welcome Back!

We are SO glad to see you back in the YMCA! We are so thankful to be open and serve the community. We are confident that we have been working hard to create a safe, clean space for you to exercise. The YMCA must still follow safety precautions for operating but we are all in a communal effort to get through this current crisis. 

HOURS
Monday - Friday: 5:00am-9:00pm, Saturday 7:00am-4:00pm, Sunday CLOSED 
 

AVAILABLE AMENITIES
           

• Upstairs Fitness center (Cardio equipment and weight machines)
• Walking/Running Track
• Downstairs free weight room
• Swimming Pool 
  • Lap Swim, fitness classes, Self-guided Adult rehab swim-reservations required
• Group Fitness Classes (land and water based) 
  • Reservations required
• Noon Ball Basketball games  
• Gym 2 Basketball Court
• Gym 1 Basketball Court
  • CLOSED from 2:00pm-6:00pm for After School Care programming
• Men’s and Women’s locker rooms, Upstairs Female Locker Room, Family changing room
  • Locker Rooms are available for changing
  • Showers are available
  • Lockers are available for day use only
• Pickleball
• Racquetball courts

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP DRAFT AND HOLD INFORMATION

• We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging in many ways and understand that not everyone will be able to support the YMCA through membership maintenance. If you would like to place your membership on hold, please visit the YMCA and complete a hold form.  Your membership will be set on our standard hold for a fee of $5 per month for a maximum of three months, one time per year. This hold form must be completed by the 20th of the month prior to the month you want to hold. If you are unable to visit the Y due to concerns with COVID-19, please email membership@fergusfallsymca.org. The standard hold policy will apply.

• If you wish to cancel your membership, please visit the Fergus Falls YMCA and complete the cancellation form. If you are unable to visit the Y due to concerns with COVID-19, please email membership@fergusfallsymca.org. The standard cancellation policy will apply: Choosing to cancel a membership must be done in writing by the 20th of the month (example: cancel 9/20 and the membership ends 9/30). That month will still draft. Cancelling AFTER the 20th of the month will result in one more draft the following month and the membership ending at the end of the following month. Cancellation may be made by coming into the YMCA and signing a cancellation form or by sending a letter to the YMCA. If you have questions, please contact the Y at 218-739-4489.

Here is what we have done within the facility to make a safer space for everyone:

• Upstairs fitness center equipment has been spaced out around the walking track. Every other machine is available.
• Partitions in front of the equipment.
• Increased access to hand sanitizer and equipment cleaner.
• Plexiglass at the front desk.

All equipment/machines should be cleaned and sanitized by the members/visitor BEFORE and AFTER use.

We miss you! Together, we're a better us.

COVID Policies*:
*COVID policies are subject to change with local and state regulations. All policies listed below will be in place when we are able to reopen our doors again. Please check back for updates.

Masks

Effective Friday, May 14, the Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA is following CDC guidelines and the Governor’s Executive Orders no longer requiring face masks for members, guests, and participants 12 years or older who are fully vaccinated. Face masks are still strongly recommended for people who are unvaccinated.
 

Important note: Members, guests, and participants will not be asked to provide proof of vaccination upon entry to the Y, however, we ask that the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility remain central as you consider your visits to the Y.
 

Fully vaccinated people may still wear masks as a personal health and safety choice.
 

Children 5-11 years old will continue to wear masks in our programs and facilities, consistent with MN guidelines. 

Screening Questions
All members, program participants, and visitors must answer the screening questions before entering the facility. We ask that these questions be taken seriously and answered truthfully. 

Reservations
Reservations are required for all land and water-based group fitness classes. A reservation is also required to reserve a lap lane, racquetball court, and participate in Self-guided adult rehab swim. Spots are limited. 

All are welcome
All members ages 10 and older are welcome to use the facility. Members 9 and under are welcome to use the facility with a parent or guardian. Nationwide Members from other YMCAs are welcome to use the facility but must follow facility policies. Visitors with paid day passes and complimentary guest passes are welcome. All members and visitors must follow the Code of Conduct and respect the COVID policies put in place.

Kids Fit Club
Children 12-14 are welcome to safely and appropriately learn how to use the upstairs cardio equipment. Please contact the front desk to complete an orientation form. Our Health and Wellness Director will contact you to set up a time and date for the training.

Lost or Stolen Items
The YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Due to COVID limitations, day use lockers are not available currently. Members and visitors are encouraged to leave their valuables in their car, at home, or keep them close by. Chairs and coat racks are available upstairs for changing shoes and hanging jackets.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Will I be screened?

Before you enter the YMCA, you will be asked two questions. You must answer these questions every time you visit. If your answers determine that you cannot enter, we will ask you to return home and contact your healthcare provider.

• Have you had one or more of the following new symptoms since the last time you were here that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
  • Fever (100.4˚ F or higher), or feeling feverish?
  • Chills?
  • A new cough?
  • Shortness of breath?
  • A new sore throat?
  • New muscle aches?
  • New headache?
  • New loss of smell or taste?
• Have you been exposed to anyone that is sick or has the symptoms listed above or has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

 
 What else should I know?

Always bring your card/barcode to check in AND out.

You MUST wipe your equipment/machines down before and after use.

Who can visit the Y?

All active membership units are welcome to come back and use the Y. Those memberships on hold must remove their hold status before coming back. To remove the hold status, please contact membership@fergusfallsymca.org. 

Nationwide members are encouraged to visit their home YMCA but will have access to the Fergus Falls YMCA. Please inform the member services staff that you are from another YMCA.

Community members and visitors wishing to buy or use a day/week pass are welcome to visit. 

What is the Y doing to keep members and staff safe?

The Y has taken many precautions to serve our members and keep them as safe as possible. We have:

• Trained the staff according to CDC, WHO, and MDH guidelines
• Increased access to hand sanitizer and equipment cleaner
• Installed plexiglass at the front desk
• More space (6 feet) in between exercise equipment, every other piece of equipment removed or turned off.
• Implemented a phased approach for opening various spaces and programs
• Installed temporary partitions in front of cardio equipment
• Regularly scheduled cleaning of available equipment.

To ensure member's health and safety, we are implementing these protocols to reduce health risks to our members, program participants, and staff. We also strongly ask that our members also do their own part to ensure their own health and safety by wiping down equipment before and after, practicing physical distancing, and paying attention to their own health. The information above is subject to change at any time.