Aquatics, Health and Fitness is Reopening

Welcome back!

Vecova is reopening its Aquatics, Health and Fitness facilities on September 8, 2020.

We have been doing our best to ensure that the phased reopening of our Aquatics, Health and Fitness facilities minimizes the spread of COVID-19 and maintains a healthy and safe environment for all. This phased reopening will have modified hours of operation, changes to operations and programming and enhanced health and safety protocols to serve you safely as you achieve your health and wellness goals.

What’s New?

Hours of Operation* (September 8 – December 19)

Monday – Friday from 7:45 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday from 7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

*Please note: facility renters may have extended hours for their programs.

Book a Reservation

To ensure we can adhere to capacity standards at all times, you must pre-book a reservation for every visit to access Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness facilities if you are not in a registered program.

You must now pre-book a reservation for lane swimming and open swim. Reservations can be booked up to 7 days in advance. (For example, if you want to visit on a Monday, you can book your reservation on the previous Monday through Sunday).

Bookings for reservations will begin on September 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Please click here or call (403) 284-2231 to make your reservation.

Program Registration

To ensure we can adhere to capacity standards at all times, all fitness classes (aquatics and dryland) and all swimming lessons will now be registered programs. A full list of the programs that will be offered from September to December is available here.

• Registration for Aquatics Fitness Classes will begin on September 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
• Registration for Dryland Fitness Classes will begin on September 8, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
• Registration for Swimming Lessons will begin on September 8, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Registration for all programs can be made online at vecova.ca or by calling (403) 284-2231.

What You Need to Do Before You Visit

To help us reopen safely, please review the following information to ensure you are prepared before visiting our facility:

• Before your first visit (and only the one-time) you must sign a waiver. The waiver will automatically be available upon check out of one of our programs.
• Before every visit you must complete Vecova’s online Pre-screen Health Assessment Tool prior to accessing Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness facilities. Please click here.
• Please wear a mask upon entrance to and within the facility, both before and after attending an activity as per the City of Calgary bylaw. Masks can be removed during classes.
• Please arrive changed and ready to attend your pool or dryland activities. All lockers and showers are closed. Please note: Leave all non-essential valuables and personal belongings at home. A designated space on the pool deck will be provided for all pool users. Designated spaces around the gymnasium and studio rooms will be available for dryland participants to store essential valuables and belongings. The deck shower in the pool area will be available pre and post pool entry for all pool users.
• You must now pre-book a reservation for lane swimming and open swim in advance. Please click here or call (403) 284-2231.
• Plan your visit in advance to limit your time in the facility. Parents will be able to enter the facility to drop-off and pick-up their child, and assist with changing after the program.
• Please be aware that spectators will not be permitted on the pool deck for swim lessons, rental groups or fitness programs. Four designated viewing spots will be available outside the pool for one person or family to use.
• Ensure you have the materials you need. The Concession and Pro Shop at Consumer Services will be closed. Vending machines will be available for use.

Please visit vecova.ca to review further details and specific guidelines for your specific class.

What Health and Safety Measures Have We Made

Vecova has taken significant measures to promote the health and safety of our consumers. These protocols include:

• Health pre-screening prior to entry before every visit through a digital Pre-screen Health Assessment Tool.
• Requirement of all persons to wear a mask upon entrance to and within the facility, both before and after attending an activity as per the City of Calgary bylaw. Masks can be removed during classes.
• Designated hands-free entrance and exit to and from the facility with expanded waiting area and overflow space.
• Directional signage and markers to promote one-way flow of traffic between Consumer Services, fitness studios, pool deck, entrance and exit.
• Plexi-glass barriers at Consumer Services.
• Enhanced daily cleaning and disinfection procedures for all areas of the facility.
• Increased availability of hand sanitizers in all areas of the facility.
• Eliminating the need for parking passes for users to prevent multiple entries and exits.
• Reduced class sizes and increased use of our larger fitness studio spaces.
• Limiting the pool area to a maximum of 24 people at one time, with a maximum of one person/family in each of the four lanes available for open swim times.
• Limiting the number of participants in a swim class (four and 10 participants depending on the swim lesson level).
• No shared equipment within classes.
• No travelling in classes (no movement beyond 1 metre).
• Physical distancing measures between users within fitness classes (e.g. 2 metres for low intensity fitness classes and 3 metres for high intensity fitness classes).
• Cohorting of swim lesson participants, renters and employees to limit social interactions and potential spread of the virus.
• Partial access to washrooms. Certain sinks and areas will be closed to ensure social distancing is followed.
• Closure of the Concession (including coffee service) and Pro Shop at Consumer Services. Vending machines will be available for use.
• Spectators will not be permitted on the pool deck for swim lessons, rental groups or fitness programs. Four designated viewing spots will be available outside the pool area for individuals to use. These spots are spaced out and limited to use by one person or family.
• Only individuals with a reservation or registered for classes or programs are permitted in the facility.
• Parents will be able to enter the facility to drop-off and pick-up their child. Parents will also be able to support their child while changing at the end of their program.

Protocols for Vecova’s Empower Abilities:

• Therapy Aides will work one-on-one with each consumer.
• Therapy Aides will wear masks for the duration of the session and change their masks between each consumer.
• Therapy Aides will be wearing eye protection – either their own glasses or safety glasses.
• A 30-minute allotment time has been set aside between each class. This time is spent to disinfect the area and equipment.

Thank You

During this temporary closure period, we have been touched by the kind and supportive messages we have received from the public. We know many of you are looking forward to coming back to our facility, reconnecting with friends and participating in your wellness routines.

When you use Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness services – from our fully accessible warm 34.5° salt-water pool to our variety of fitness programs – you support persons of all abilities. Vecova is a place where people connect, belong and thrive. As we continue our efforts to safely reopen our facilities to the community, we do so with gratitude to all of you who have continued to support us at this time.

We know that the need for financial assistance is growing and the generosity of our community members is needed and appreciated more than ever. Please consider donating to Vecova if you are able.

To learn more about what you need to know before you visit and the changes we have made click here to see our Reopening FAQs.

If you have any questions, please contact us.