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YMCA makes 'difficult decision' not to reopen its pools yet

YMCA says it will also operate revised summer day-camp programs in Barrie, Collingwood, Innisfil, Midland, Orillia, and Wasaga Beach
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(stock photo)

NEWS RELEASE
YMCA OF SIMCOE/MUSKOKA
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Communities across Simcoe County, Muskoka and Parry Sound have been included in Phase 2 of the Province’s regional reopening framework. As the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka moves towards reopening our facilities, we will do so based on the following core principles:

  1. A commitment to the health and safety of our participants, volunteers, staff and the community

  2. Prioritizing programs that meet our community’s greatest needs
  3. Being financially responsible to sustain the long-term viability of the Y as a charity
  4. Supporting our employees by calling back staff from temporary lay-off as soon as possible

In alignment with our guiding principles, we have the following updates: 

  • Child Care: We are reviewing provincial guidelines and working with public health to ensure that when we reopen our licensed child-care facilities we are doing so in the safest manner possible. We anticipate being able to communicate our reopening plans by June 20; we will be communicating directly with our registered families at that time. 
  • Day Camp: We will be operating a revised summer program in the following communities: Barrie, Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Innisfil, Midland, Orillia, Parry Sound and Wasaga Beach; additional locations will be confirmed if we can secure space. There will be no busing provided for our children’s summer programs this summer and we will follow guidelines as set by our local health unit. Registration for our new summer program is expected to begin June 19; we will be communicating directly with our registered day camp families at this time. 
  • Pools: We are committed to reopening our health and fitness facilities to the community when we believe it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our members and staff. Upon reviewing the guidelines for reopening with public health, we have made the difficult decision to not open our pools at this time. We will be limiting access to our health and fitness facilities to our children’s summer program, making it possible to support parents returning to work.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Stay strong and stay connected.

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