New Updates to Y Policies

UPDATES TO YMCA POLICIES

Thank you for your continued support of the La Crosse Area Family YMCA. Since re-opening in June, we have truly appreciated that so many of you have continued your memberships, donations, and use of our facility. At this point, the ability of our Y to remain open, and provide critical services depends directly on the behavior and actions of our staff and members working together. 

As you know, it has been a challenging eight months for our community, our neighbors, and our friends. In recent weeks, and with the significant rise in COVID cases in our community and our county, it is clear that we must all do more to help stop the spread. As an organization that has played an integral role in the health and well-being of our community for more than 137 years, we feel we must do more. Our community, our neighbors, and friends are important to us, and they are counting on us to do what’s right for our community.

View the New Mask Policy(Effective 11/23/20)

Effective on Monday, November 23rd, we will require masks at all times, in all locations, and without exception. Effective Monday, we will require every Y member to comply with this new policy.

This policy change will be evaluated every thirty days and adjustments may be made based on changing community needs.

Exceptions while swimming, showering or getting a drink and children under 5.

RESERVATION REQUIRED:

• Group Fitness Classes
• Water Exercise
• Cycling Classes (PIQ)
• Racquetball
• Family Pool (Houser)
• Gym

RESERVATION NO LONGER NEEDED:

• Swimming Pool
• Y Child Watch
• Wellness Center

YMCA Facility Usage Policies:

• No more reservations required for the Wellness Center. Come at any time. We will maintain a capacity of 30 members in the Dahl Wellness Center and 40 members in the Houser Wellness Center. Check in at the front desk gate when you arrive.
• The overall one-hour time limit for visiting the Y will be removed. However, we still recommend that you limit your time at the Y but you are welcome to participate in multiple activities.
• The time limit in Y Child Watch has been moved back to 2 hours. Please drop your child off when we are open and enjoy some “you” time at the Y.
• In order to better manage the capacity of our gyms while allowing families and individuals use of the space, we will be returning to a reservation system on Monday, Nov. 23rd. Bring your own ball. Pick up games are not allowed at this time. A gym supervisor will be onsite during open gym times. Make a Reservation
• Children ages 7-13 will be allowed to use the gymnasium during designated times while a parent or guardian is in the facility (parent can be working out in the Wellness Center but must remain in the facility). No reservation needed but a capacity total of 20 youth and adults will be maintained. Designated times can be found on our website by clicking the ‘reservation’ button (even though no reservation is needed). Teens ages 14 and older can continue to use the Y without a parent or guardian in the facility.
• Singles (one-on-one) racquetball matches will be allowed. Please continue to reserve your court online. Reservations will be in 1-hour time increments for Court A and for Court B (to be labeled soon). Only 1 member needs to reserve a court. Both members should check in at the front desk gate.
• Virtual Fitness at the Y will not require a reservation. Virtual Fitness at the Y will be on-demand with over 1,000 classes to choose from at your convenience.
• Masks are still required for all members 5 years of age and older.

Since reopening on June 1, member safety has been our top priority. The decisions we have made since reopening have been carefully considered and discussed before implementation, including this decision. We’re trying to do our very best to balance the needs of our members, the safety of staff, the well-being of our community, and the financial sustainability of the Y, all while navigating through the various guidelines. As you can imagine, this pandemic has been financially devastating for our YMCA. We learned yesterday, that all YMCAs and all fitness facilities in Minnesota are being forced to close due to the pandemic. We feel fortunate that we are able to remain open but we know we must all work together to help our community and to keep our facility open.

Staying active is critical to a healthy spirit, mind, and body. There is strong evidence that physical exercise is one of the best ways to defend against the virus. In addition, the Y provides a safe place to reduce the impact of social isolation. Please work in partnership with us so we continue to serve our members. In the coming weeks and months, we need the support of our members more than ever before. We want to thank you in advance for your cooperation and support with this policy change. 

Through good times and tough times, the Y has continued to provide essential services to all who need it. Your support is critical so that the Y can continue to impact our community today, tomorrow, and forever.

Warmest regards,

Bill Soper 
CEO