How do I gain access to a recreation facility/pool when they open?

• In order to enter a facility, you will need to book a time. That can be done by visiting edmonton.ca/reccentres and clicking on the buy/book now button. 
• It is important that you book a time. It is the only way you can get access to a recreation centre or pool.
• Bookings for recreation facilities will open on July 3 at 1:30 p.m. Facilities open on July 6 (or July 13 for Kinsmen Sports Centre). Bookings for indoor pools will open as of July 13 with pools opening on July 20 (select pools for the public on August 4 at Kinsmen Sports Centre).
• You will receive an email confirming your booking along with information you’ll need to be aware of before you come to a facility.
• You will be able to book a time slot up to two weeks in advance.
  * Note: Those without access to computers, tablets or smartphones can call 311 to register for programs or to book an entry time.

What do I do if I need to cancel?

You will need to send an email to myaccount@edmonton.ca or call 311 in order to cancel your booking.

 How early should I arrive at a recreation centre?

Please arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before your reserved time slot for a fitness centre or gymnasium activity. Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your pool time booking.

What if I’m running a bit late. Will I still be able to get into the facility?

Yes, you will still be permitted to enter within your time slot.

Can I drop in for an activity in a recreation centre?

Drop-in visits are not permitted at this time. We require that you book a time to visit a centre. Using a timed visit allows us to adhere to Alberta Health guidelines and helps ensure the safety of you and and our staff.

Will you announce when facilities are full?

When a facility is at capacity, there will be no open times available when booking online.

Are you tracking people coming into a facility?

Alberta Health requires that we track all visitors to recreation centres for the purposes of tracing potential contacts with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

How long are time slots for the different activities?

Time slot for fitness centres, gymnasiums and court sports are 75 minutes, time slots for public swim and aquafit are 60 minutes, and lane swim is 30 minutes.

I want to visit both a fitness centre and then a pool. Can I do that with a single booking?

You will need to make more than one booking. You will need to book at time to use a fitness centre and a time to use a pool. You will need to leave the facility between your bookings.

What are the operating hours for facilities?

Hours of operation will vary according to the amenity (e.g. fitness centre, gym). Please check movelearnplay.edmonton.ca for the operating times for the amenity or activity you want to access.

What do I need to know once I’ve booked my time and before I come to the facility?

If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, please do not visit the facility. We ask that you cancel your booking if you can.

• Do not visit if you have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days.
• Do not visit if you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19. Stay home and isolate as per Alberta Health guidelines.

When you come to the facility, please show your booking confirmation to the staff member at the front door so we can verify that you have booked a time.

We ask that you come ready for your activity. For example, if you’re going to a fitness centre, then come dressed in fitness attire. If coming to swim, come dressed in swimwear.

We recommend that you leave valuables at home.

When recreation centres reopen, what will I be able to do and use in the facility?

• Fitness centres and gyms will be available for public use in the 5 recreation centres that open in July.
• At this time, indoor children’s play spaces, whirlpools, steam rooms and saunas remain closed as they are in Stage 3 of the Government of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. There is no timeline for Stage 3.

Will there be any restrictions on activities in fitness centres?

• Fitness centre equipment has been spaced out and the availability of some equipment will be reduced to ensure appropriate distancing between patrons. Items that are not considered safe to share at this point (e.g. TRX, cable attachments with cloth parts, resistance bands, or dynamax balls) have been removed. 

Will indoor running tracks be available?

• They will not be available. We will be placing fitness equipment on running tracks in order to ensure physical distancing in fitness centres. 

Are indoor fitness programs being offered?

• Indoor instructor-led group fitness programs are not offered at this time. Outdoor instructor-led fitness programs are being offered. More information is available on outdoor programs at edmonton.ca/Outdoorfitness. 
• Personal training services are not available. This includes those offered by the City of Edmonton and third-party personal trainers.

Are drop-in programs and open gym times available?

• To adhere to Alberta Health guidelines, there will be no spontaneous/drop-in/open gymnasium times available. Gymnasium access must be reserved in advance, and initially will be limited to badminton and pickleball in cohorts only.

What about pools? When do they open?

• Indoor pools will open on July 20 at Clareview Community Recreation Centre, Bonnie Doon Leisure Centre and Jasper Place Fitness and Leisure Centre.
• Kinsmen Sports Centre aquatics area will open for limited public use on August 4.
• Outdoor pools will not open this year due to the financial challenges the City of Edmonton’s faces from the COVID-19 pandemic.

What aquatic programs are available?

The following opportunities are available with a timed entry:

• Lane swimming: One person or cohort per lane, with a 30-minute time limit. Book a time through edmonton.ca/reccentres.
• Public swims: Open to any individual. Book a 60-minute time slot through edmonton.ca/reccentres.
• Aquafit classes: Register through edmonton.ca/reccentres.
• Swimming lessons: classes are one instructor and one participant only. Register through edmonton.ca/reccentres. Registration opened on June 30.

* Note: Those without access to computers, tablets or smartphones can call 311 to register for programs or to book an entry time.

How early should I arrive?

Please arrive early enough for class to start on time but no earlier than 20 minutes.

What do I need to bring?

Proof of registration (e-mail or printed copy), yoga mat or towel, hand sanitizer, sweat towel, clothing for the elements, sunscreen, bugspray, water bottle, and hat.

Can I register through 311?

Yes, registration is available through both movelearnplay.edmonton and 311.

Will there be hand sanitizer stations on site?

Yes, hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol or higher will be provided.

Will I have access to washrooms or change rooms?

Unfortunately, washrooms and change rooms may not be available on location.

What happens if there is a COVID19 exposure while I am visiting?

In the unlikely event that this does happen, the City of Edmonton will work with Alberta Health Services to ensure all proper processes and protocols are followed.

What if I have a City of Edmonton Recreation Centre Membership?

Outdoor Fitness Classes are included in Recreation Centre Memberships. For more information about memberships, visit edmonton.ca/reccentres.

Can I cancel my registration?

The City of Edmonton may cancel classes due to inclement weather. Participants will be notified, via email, a minimum of two hours prior to class start time if inclement weather occurs more than two hours prior to class. The instructor will determine if the class will be cancelled if the inclement weather occurs between the two-hour window prior to class up until the end of the class. Refunds will automatically be put on the participant’s City of Edmonton account in these instances.

What happens in cases of poor weather?

Participants can cancel (remove their registration from a class), with no penalty, up to four hours prior to the start of the class time.

What is the City doing to ensure the AHS’s guidelines are followed for Covid-19 precautions?

Each instructor will have a Covid-19 update in their First Aid training in the case of an emergency. They will also have hand sanitizer and other PPE on site. The instructors will ensure everyone is practicing physical distancing at all times, and registration is completed online so no contact is needed.

What are you doing to ensure my safety while I’m in the facility?

• Signage will be in place at facilities to help guide you. Staff will also be available to help with directions.
• Please follow all entry and exit signage at facilities.
• We encourage you to wear a mask while you are in a facility to protect those around you, although not during intense physical activity or while in the pool.
• You are asked to come in either your workout clothes for fitness centres and gymnasiums or swimsuits for pools.
• Alberta Health recommends you bring your hand sanitizer with you, but we will have hand sanitizer available in multiple locations throughout the facilities.
• Gathering in common spaces is discouraged and seating areas will be closed.

What are you specifically doing for safety in fitness centres and gymnasiums?

• Fitness centre capacity will be a maximum of 100 people depending on the facility.
• Courts in gymnasiums are limited to a maximum of 4 people per court.
• Equipment in fitness centres has been spaced apart to comply with physical distancing guidelines. 
• In areas where powered equipment cannot be moved, some equipment will be taken out of use to ensure proper physical distancing.
• Our Amenity Coordinators and Member Experiences Liaisons will also help by:
  • Directing traffic and ensuring proper user etiquette including thoroughly cleaning equipment before and after use. 
  • Working with custodial staff to ensure all high-touch areas and amenities are regularly cleaned. 
  • Monitoring physical distancing and ensuring guidelines are adhered to for playing court sports (badminton and pickleball). 
  • Educating patrons in all fitness centres and gymnasiums about current COVID-19 guidelines for facilities.
• Signage throughout facilities will assist with patrons having a safe and enjoyable experience and signage leading into facilities will remind people of the public health guidelines and the need to have a time booked for entry.
• Additionally, new queuing markers and control devices will be in place to assist patrons in maintaining appropriate distances.

Will bathrooms be available?

• Yes, bathrooms are available. We remind you to follow Alberta Health guidelines and wash your hands after using bathrooms.

What are you specifically doing for safety in pools/aquatic centres?

• A staff member will be present to help with information on physical distancing. 
• There will be a limit of 40 people in an aquatics area. Individual activities will have their own capacity limits based on physical distancing. 
• Lane swim will be restricted to one swimmer per lane.
• Where practical, we will use lane ropes to create dedicated areas for individual customers or family cohorts.

Will hot tubs and steam rooms be open?

• At this time, those are scheduled to open in Stage 3 of the Alberta Relaunch Strategy. There is no date when that stage will occur.

Will locker rooms be available for fitness users?

• We ask that you arrive at the facility in your workout clothes
• There will not be change room access for fitness centre or gymnasium users. 
• Valuables lockers may be available in facilities where physical distancing is possible.

Will locker rooms be available for pool users?

• We ask that you arrive at the facility already in your swimsuit.
• Aquatic changerooms will be available only when you are leaving the pool areas. There will be only one-way traffic through the change rooms. 
• Non-transparent waterproof bins will be provided on the pool deck in which to store personal items.  
• Valuables lockers may be available in facilities where physical distancing is possible.

Are there limits on how long people can stay in a facility?

• There will be time limits on how long people can be in a facility. That will depend on what amenity you are using and the activity in which you are involved. For example, people will be able to use fitness centres for 75 minutes followed by a 15-minute transition and cleaning break before the next 75-minute activity block. 
• In pools, for example, swim lane usage is limited to 30 minutes.
• Once you are done, we ask that you leave so that cleaning can take place and to make room for others coming in for their scheduled visits.