Last Updated: 29.05.2020
We’ve missed you
The safety and wellbeing of our members, staff and visitors has always been our number one priority. Since closing our facility due to COVID-19, we’ve reflected on what makes our centre special, and it is you.
We have missed providing you with the opportunity to get active, missed seeing your friendly faces come through the door, missed being part of your health and wellness journey. But the biggest thing we’ve missed is being able to connect with you, face to face, to be able to have a chat and enjoy the sense of community that our centre brings.
Our staff are ready and prepared to return to work. They can’t wait to get back to it, in what will be this ‘new normal’ for the foreseeable future. The way we operate the facility is going to be different to how it was before, with strict safety and hygiene measures in place to ensure everybody feels comfortable and safe. There’s more on this in the below information.
But firstly, we want to express our deep gratitude for your patience and support as we have worked through this challenging time, and to thank you for reaching out over the last few months with questions and concerns for the community at our centre.
While we don’t have every single answer to every single question yet – things are moving so rapidly and we’re working as quickly as possible to provide the right information at the right time – we have provided some of the key information below.
We will continue to update this page as new information comes to light.
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Reopen dates, hours and programming
From 1 June, the Victorian Government will allow a gradual easing of restrictions for some fitness, sport and recreation activities. While pools are allowed to reopen with restrictions in place as of Monday, the Boroondara Leisure and Aquatic Facilities remain closed.
While we know many of you are keen to get back into the pool, the City of Boroondara have a responsibility to their ratepayers to carefully consider the best spend of their money during this challenging time. The cost to open facilities for a small number of people is significant, the facilities will become much more viable once dry side spaces are able to reopen.
Opening the aquatic and leisure facilities at a later date also allows time to ensure robust systems and processes are in place and staff are fully trained in the complications of operating under these new conditions. While we understand that some facilities are opening earlier, the City of Boroondara has decided to take a cautious approach to re-opening, given the responsibility to ensure the health and wellbeing of the community during these unprecedented times
If community transmission rates continue to remain low, we expect a further easing of restrictions in late June.
Thank you for your patience during this time. -
Your COVID-safe facility
Your safety and the safety of our staff remains our number one priority, particularly throughout this period. Once we do reopen, we will be applying six safety measures to ensure we are COVID-safe and in line with the government’s health advice.
- Temperature scanning. All staff and visitors will be scanned upon entry to the centre. Anyone who displays a temperature of 38°C, will be politely asked to leave.
- Social distancing requirements. A distance of 1.5 metres between people will be required throughout the centre and programs. All spaces within the facility have been measured and 4 metres squared restrictions per space will be enforced. Staff and visitors will be counted as they enter and exit spaces and we have removed seats and equipment to ensure social distancing.
- Signage and instructions. Throughout the centre, you will see signage and instructions on how staff and visitors can be COVID-safe. Hygiene signage and floor, seat and bench stickers have been installed to assist visitors will physical distancing requirements.
- Increased hygiene and cleaning. You will find hand sanitiser at entry and exit points, as well as in high touch point areas and areas of high traffic. We will have increased cleaning, with regular touch point cleans and 24-hour facility cleans.
- Training for staff. All staff have completed the Department of Health COVID-safe training, as well as additional training provided by YMCA Victoria. We have also provided additional training for specific roles to ensure all programs within the facility are COVID-safe.
- Process for a confirmed case. In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case, we have an eight-step plan in place to ensure reporting, tracing and cleaning occurs before the facility reopens. Everyone who enters the facility will have their details recorded to assist with case tracing.
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Cleaning and hygiene
Once we reopen, the first thing you will notice when you visit the facilty is hand sanitiser at all entry and exit points, with the expectation that all staff, patrons and visitors sanitise their hands before entering. Hand sanitiser will also be available throughout the facility and in bathrooms.
The entire facility will be cleaned every 24 hours and high touch points, such as doors, toilets and gym equipment, will be cleaned regularly throughout the day. -
Bookings and memberships
When the facility reopens, it will most likely be at a limited capacity and with restrictions. Therefore, your memberships will not be reactivated until restrictions are further eased and you will be notified before your membership resumes. -
Process for a confirmed COVID-19 case
Our staff have been trained to ensure that when the centre reopens and there is a confirmed case, they have the tools and resources they need to close the facility safely and notify those who were in contact with the infected person.
Last updated 25.05.2020
The Victorian Government made an announcement on Sunday 24 May to ease restrictions.
The safety of our staff and community is still our number one priority and the Council and the YMCA are working together to understand when we can safely reopen the centre. This may be on or after the dates the Victorian Government has outlined while we re-work our programming to adapt and innovate to comply with new physical distancing and hygiene practices.
The dates and requirements the Victorian Government has outlined are:
- From 1 June, swimming pools will be able to open with limits of 20 people and additional safety requirements in place. Community sporting activities will also be permitted with up to 20 people in undivided spaces, provided the sport is outdoors, non-competition, non-contact, and people are able to play 1.5 metres apart.
- Physical distancing and a limit of up to 20 patrons per space will apply, and indoor venues will be required to keep customer contact details.
- If community transmission rates continue to remain low and testing rates continue to remain high, the Government has said they will look to further relax restrictions from 22 June.
- From that date, indoor fitness and recreation facilities will be able to open with up to 20 people per space and up to 10 people per group or activity at any one time.
However, we reiterate that our opening dates may be on or after the dates the Victorian Government has suggested.
Information published: 20 March 2020