To Our Valued Acadia Athletics Complex Members:
In our last message on August 21, we outlined our "Scaling for Success" steps as part of a plan to have our students, staff and faculty return to the Athletics Complex as safe as possible this fall. Our primary objectives were to ensure the campus was operational in September for the return of Acadia students, to protect the people in our complex, and to integrate campus and community activities successfully and safely.
We have been taking measured steps in the Complex reopening to ensure our alignment with Acadia's Return to Campus Safely planning for the fall term and safeguarded a return to operation that was as smooth and as safe as possible. This measured approach, which was referred to as our "Scaling for Success," has allowed us to meet our intended objectives. We are working hard in making our opening a priority for Acadia students and it will remain so.
Review of the Steps and Introducing our final step
STEP 1: Outdoor Recreation and Private Businesses (July/August)
We successfully opened and managed our youth camps and have also phased in two privately-owned businesses (Acadia Performance Training and Acadia Sports Therapy Clinic) within the first step of our facility reopening process.
STEP 2: Acadia Faculty and Staff (September 8)
The Fitness Centre within the Acadia Athletics Complex was opened to Acadia faculty and staff.
STEP 3: Acadia Students (September 21)
The Fitness Centre within the Acadia Athletics Complex was opened to Acadia students only. As well, Acadia students have been offered scheduled and structured recreational programming, which meets COVID-19 protocols and procedures.
Update: With the government's announcement of the loosening of restrictions for sport and performing arts starting October 1st, aspects of our program delivery for campus sport and recreation programming have been updated.
STEP 4: Community Members (October 12)
Our plan is to welcome back our community users with memberships to the Athletics Complex's Fitness Centre on Monday, October 12. Only those with existing memberships will be allowed to access the Fitness Centre. No drop-ins are allowed at this time – you must be an existing member to access the Fitness Centre.
Use of the Fitness Centre requires an appointment and a valid membership card. Masks are mandatory. Your fitness appointment can be made at https://recreation.acadiau.ca . Educational videos on how to enter the facility, use the Fitness Centre, and book an appointment can be found at https://recreation.acadiau.ca
What about other features of the facility including the pool, arena, locker rooms, walking tracks and change rooms?
Not all the Acadia Athletics Complex's services are available currently. This includes the indoor and outdoor walking/running tracks, public skate, and public change rooms. We will continue to explore the viability of these facility features and programs with the intent of reopening these under public health's guidelines and restrictions for recreation facilities, and Acadia's Return to Campus safety plan.
The University has made the decision to keep the Acadia swimming pool closed indefinitely as an expense mitigation and health and safety measure. For information on the pool announcement, please visit https://www2.acadiau.ca/covid-19/news-reader/acadia-swimming-pool-closed-indefinitely.html
The Acadia Box Office has resumed operation from 12:00 p.m. - 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Holiday Hours - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Athletics Complex – Fitness Centre is open from 6:30am to 11:00 pm from Monday to Saturday and 8:00am to 11:00 pm on Sundays.
For those users who have facility memberships that have been suspended since March 16, we are offering an extension to your facility membership for the time missed during the closure. There has been an increase in the fee structure since beginning of September, however, this will not affect those who received extensions to their membership for time missed during the closure.
Those accessing the facility must follow all communicated health and hygiene procedures to ensure we keep the Acadia Athletics Complex safe for all users. Health and safety measures include a requirement to wear of masks when inside the facility.
Thank you all for your continued support and understanding during this time. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Acadia Athletics Complex.
Before visiting Acadia's campus, please visit the COVID-19 information website at https://www2.acadiau.ca/covid-19.html for campus status, latest updates, and health and safety requirements for visitors to campus.
Sincerely,
Kevin Dickie
Executive Director
Athletics and Community Events