Vecova Centre for Disability Services and Research seeks public support after vandalism attack

Calgary, Alberta (December 16, 2022). Vecova Centre for Disability Services and Research will begin its clean-up process in the coming weeks after its facility was vandalized on December 15, 2022. Damage to the facility includes parts of its main building and its on-site property, such as Recycling Services’ trailer and donation bins. A police report has been filed and we are in the process of reviewing available security footage.

Vecova’s programs and services support persons of all abilities, some of whom are among Calgary’s most vulnerable. The vandalism may have further negative impacts on community initiatives, as the organization will have to potentially divert funds to clean, restore and replace the damage.

“We’re disappointed to have to deal with this, especially during the holiday season,” shares Kyla Martin, Vecova’s Chief Development Officer. “We provide a place of belonging to persons with disabilities and the community. The building itself has been part of some of our consumers’ lives for over fifty years – many of whom lived at our main facility for several years. To see this senseless act of vandalism on a place they love may be upsetting and confusing.”

Vecova is proud to be a community hub where everyone can feel welcomed and that they belong. If any individuals or businesses would like to offer support, donations can be make online at www.vecova.ca or by call 403-284-1121 ext 308. If anyone would like to help us in the cleanup process please get in touch with the Development team at [email protected].

About Vecova – vecova.ca

Vecova® is a leading edge, registered and accredited charitable organization that has been meeting the lifelong and changing needs of persons of all abilities and the community since 1969 through our programs and services, social research and innovation and enterprises.

For media requests:
Kaitlyn Pecson
Communications Manager at Vecova
[email protected]
403-605-2683[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Updated COVID-19 Measures

The health and safety of our consumers, employees and individuals visiting our facilities are of the utmost importance. Vecova will continue to follow all municipal, provincial and federal health measures and restrictions and our own organizational health and safety policies and practices.

As of today, February 9, 2022, Vecova will:

No longer implement the City of Calgary’s Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021 and the Government of Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program. The removal of the Restrictions Exemption Program means proof of vaccination, negative test or medical exemption will no longer be required to access Vecova facilities effective February 9, 2022.
Continue to implement the City of Calgary’s Face Covering Bylaw 63M2021. A face covering or mask will still be required for everyone over 13 years of age in Vecova facilities.
Continue to follow all of Vecova’s health and safety policies and practices which includes:
- Screening protocols for symptoms.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols in all of its facilities.
- A mandatory vaccine requirement for all Vecova employees, volunteers and contractors to be fully vaccinated unless they have provided proof to Vecova that they are unable to be immunized due to a medical reason.
- A mandatory work-from-home measure unless the employee is required onsite at facilities to deliver a service or for operational effectiveness.

We thank all of you for your continued patience and understanding as we continue to manage and provide a safe experience for all.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Vecova’s commitment to reducing the impact of the COVID-19 fourth wave

Vecova to implement Restriction Exemption Program and mandatory vaccinations for employees, volunteers and contractors

Calgary, Alberta (September 18, 2021). In response to the current stage of the pandemic, Vecova is announcing the implementation of Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program (REP) and a mandatory vaccination policy for all employees, volunteers, students and contractors.

Vecova has consistently done its part to ensure the health and safety of our community throughout this pandemic. As a social purpose-driven organization, Vecova has a duty to ensure that our workplaces are safe for employees, volunteers and individuals accessing Vecova’s programs, services and enterprises. Vecova is choosing to model for our community the role that every individual can play in ensuring the safety of others.

We must take this leadership role at this critical time to do our part to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on our employees, our operations and the individuals who depend on us every day, many of whom are at higher risk to severe outcomes – seniors, persons with disabilities and people with pre-existing health conditions.

This is simply the right thing to do.

Details of the implementation of the Restriction Exemption Program and the mandatory vaccination policy is available at vecova.ca/fourthwave.

About Vecova – vecova.ca

For media requests:
Kaitlyn Pecson
Communications Manager
Vecova
[email protected][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Reducing the impact of the fourth wave

The Government of Alberta has declared state of public health emergency, starting September 16, 2021. These measures are aimed to protect the health care system, stop the spread and increase vaccination rates amongst the population.

Starting September 16, all of Vecova’s programs, services and enterprises at the main centre, such as Aquatics, Health and Fitness and Recycling Services, will follow the operational mandates regarding social distancing, mask wearing and capacity restrictions.

Vecova will review its operations and make a decision regarding the Restriction Exemption Program (REP) prior to its implementation date, September 20.

Vecova’s main priority has, and will continue to be, the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, consumers and community at large. As we gather further clarification and guidance from public health officials and other partners, we are making changes and adjustments to meet all restrictions by their set dates.

More information will be shared in the next few days. Please visit vecova.ca and follow our social media channels for the latest news.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Get back in the swim of things: Public swim is back!

You asked and we listened! We’re excited to share that our public swim times will start again on Wednesday, July 14, 2021! Drop in for a dip in our fully-accessible, warm 34.5° salt-water pool and get back into your wellness routine. One lane will be open for you to practice your skills – or just have a splash!

Public Swim Drop-In Schedule (starting Wednesday, July 14):

Monday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Wednesday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Friday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

No registration is required; however, we will have a limited capacity to ensure the health and safety of our consumers.

And a reminder – Vecova’s Summer Day Camps are back! A limited amount of spots are still open, so sign your kids up today here.

Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness looks forward to opening more of our programs and services back up. Thanks for your continued support![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][vc_column_text]People photo created by wayhomestudio – www.freepik.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Return To Fun! Vecova’s Summer Day Camps are back!

Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness are excited to announce the return of our Summer Day Camps. We can’t wait to welcome our day camp community back!

Dive into summer with our small group camp cohorts, modified activities and daily swim times! Registration begins on June 11 at 10:00 am for weekly day camps, starting July 5 until August 27. This years camps will be:

Adventures: 5 to 7 years old
Explorers: 8 to 10 years old

Click here for more information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image source=”featured_image” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1492008828909{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]April 30, 2021 (Updated June 15, 2021)[/vc_column_text][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”20″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_message]June 15, 2021: Return To Fun! Vecova’s Summer Day Camps are back! Vecova can’t wait to welcome our Summer Day Camp community back! Enjoy daily swim times, fun activities and more with our small group camp cohorts. Registration begins on June 11 at 10:00 am for weekly day camps, starting July 5 until August 27. Click here for details! [/vc_message][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][vc_column_text]

Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness: Temporary Closure

As of April 30, 2021, Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness are suspending programs for a minimum of two weeks in accordance with the Government of Alberta’s expanded restrictions for hot spot regions. Please follow us here on vecova.ca and our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts for the latest news.

For more information regarding these public health measures, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Additional Restrictions from April 16, 2021

Due to the additional restrictions announced by the Government of Alberta for youth indoor activity in Calgary for students in grades 7 to 12, some of Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness programs have been affected.

Group swim lessons have been discontinued. Private swim lessons will continue. Those who were registered in group swim lessons have been given this option to continue in private lessons, if the class format allows.

Facility rentals that provided activities for those in grades 7 to 12 have been cancelled. Please contact those program providers for more details.

We continue to make plans for the upcoming weeks and months to be able to provide programs under current restrictions. Please keep an eye out on vecova.ca and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest news.

Thank you for your patience.[/vc_column_text][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][vc_separator][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][vc_column_text]

Aquatics, Health and Fitness Update for Step 1 Reimplementation

The Government of Alberta announced that as of April 7, 2021, the province will be reimplementing Step 1 restrictions. These restrictions will impact some of Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness’ programming.

Effective immediately, all adult fitness programs (specifically our yoga classes) at Vecova have been cancelled. We will be contacting all enrolled individuals with refund or credit options.

Our child/youth swim lessons and youth group physical activities through our facility rentals continue to be permitted. Scheduling for our child/youth private swim lessons on weeknights has been altered to work within the mandated restrictions. We will be contacting all individuals who are impacted by this change.

We recognize that these ongoing changes impact you directly and we are working hard to ensure that your well-being remains a top priority while complying with ongoing Government of Alberta protocols. Support from the community is appreciated now more than ever before. Please donate to Vecova if you are able.

Thank you for your continued support and patience. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Vecova’s AHF is ready to welcome more of our community back!

We are excited to announce that we are reopening more of Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness programming to our community! Starting March 28, programs are available for everyone – whether you’re a new parent with a toddler, a young learner or you’re interested in our private lessons at any age. You’ll find something at Vecova!

Registration begins on Wednesday, March 24 at 10:00 am.

Due to the limited number of spots available, registrations will only be accepted over the phone (403-284-1121).

March 29 to April 28: Monday/Wednesday Lessons

9 Classes No Lessons April 5^th

Reg. Number	Name	Time	Cost	Status
22614	Parent and Tot (Starfish – Sea Turtle)	4:00 pm to 4:30 pm	$85.25	Full
22616	Preschool (Sea Otter-Sunfish)	4:45 pm to 5:15 pm	$85.25	Full
22618	Red Cross Level 3/4	5:30 pm to 6:00 pm	$85.25	Full
22620	Red Cross Level 5/6	6:15 pm to 7:00 pm	$104.00	Full
22622	Red Cross Level 7/8	7:15 pm to 8:00 pm	$104.00	Full
22624	Deep End Private Lessons	4:00 to 4:30 pm 4:45 pm to 5:15 pm	Private: $40 per class Semi-Private: $70 per class	Full

March 30 to April 29: Tuesday/Thursday Lessons

10 Classes

Reg. Number	Name	Time	Cost	Status
22613	Parent and Tot (Starfish – Sea Turtle)	4:00 pm to 4:30 pm	$94.75	Full
22615	Preschool (Sea Otter-Sunfish)	4:45 pm to 5:15 pm	$94.75	Full
22617	Red Cross Adapted Swim	5:30 pm to 6:00 pm	$150.00	Full
22619	Red Cross Level 5/6	6:15 pm to 7:00 pm	$115.50	Full
22621	Red Cross Level 7/8	7:15 pm to 8:00 pm	$115.50	Full
22625	Deep End Private Lessons	4:00 pm to 4:30 pm 4:45 pm to 5:15 pm	Private: $40 per class Semi-Private: $70 per class	4:00 pm to 4:30 pm: Full 4:45 pm to 5:15 pm: Full

March 28 – April 25: Sunday Private Lessons

4 Classes No Lesson April 4^th

Reg. Number	Name	Time	Cost	Status
22623	Private Lessons	12:30 pm to 1:00 pm 1:15 pm to 1:45 pm 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm	Private Lessons: $160 for 4 lessons Semi-Private Lessons: $280 for 4 lessons	Full

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Welcoming back Albertans to our Aquatics, Health and Fitness

We want to thank everyone for your patience.

While we have been temporarily closed to comply with the Government of Alberta’s mandatory measures to ensure public health and safety, we have used this time to improve our programs and services and to plan ahead for a safe reopening.

We are glad to announce a limited reopening of our Aquatics, Health and Fitness beginning on February 28, 2021. While the Government of Alberta’s mandated measures do not allow us to reopen completely, we are doing our best to provide programming where we are able to. The programs and services reopening are:

Limited Aquatics Lessons (Adapted, Parented, Preschool, SK 5/6)
Household Gym Rentals
Limited Facility Rentals (as per current Government of Alberta regulations, rentals are limited to “people 18 years of age or younger with a coach, trainer or instructor in groups of 10 or less while maintaining physical distancing”)
Multi-Level Yoga (click here for more information)

Important Dates:

February 25 at 10:00 am: Registration for lessons, rentals and household bookings (phone-in only)
February 28: Limited Rentals (Sundays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm)
March 2: Limited Aquatics Lessons – Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 pm to 7:45 pm (4-week session/8 classes))
March 2: Limited Household gym rentals
March 9: Registration for Multi-Level Yoga

For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page and the Government of Alberta’s Biz Connect website, which provides information on COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.

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. Support from the community is needed now more than ever before. Please consider donating to Vecova if you are able.

We’re looking forward to continue to meet your health and wellbeing needs. If you have any further questions, please contact us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”30″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]