Face Coverings Required at the TLC Starting August 31.
Starting August 31, we are asking that all patrons begin to wear masks/face coverings while here at the TLC. This new policy is in line with what the City of Spruce Grove has mandated for their recreation facilities, as well as what is happening in our region (i.e. Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, etc.) Our goal is to do all we can to keep our community active and our facility open during these trying times, to provide recreational opportunities for everyone in the safest manner possible.
GENERAL (See below for area-specific info):
What is a face covering?
A face covering includes a mask or other material that covers the mouth, nose and chin ensuring a barrier that limits the transmission of infectious respiratory droplets.
How will this work at the TLC?
Please put on your mask prior to entering the facility (sanitize your hands before and after touching your mask). Keep it on while you proceed to your activity area including in the dressing rooms! Once you have arrived in your activity space you can remove your mask as face coverings are NOT RECOMMENDED during exercise or aquatic activities.
Once you have finished your activity, please again don your mask (hand sanitize before and after touching your mask, avoid touching the front of the mask at all times) to move back to your change room, or to exit the facility.
Are there any exceptions?
The following exceptions – both people and places – are identified in the City of Spruce Grove’s Temporary Mandatory Face Coverings Bylaw, which the TLC will be following. The below points are the ones that apply to us:
- Children under the age of 10;
- People unable to wear a face covering due to a mental or physical concern or limitation, or protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act;
- People consuming food or drink in designated seating areas;
- People engaged in water activities or physical exercise;
- People providing care or assistance to a person with a disability where a face covering would hinder that caregiving or assistance; and,
- People engaging in services that require the temporary removal of a face covering.
Remember that some people may be unable to wear a mask for various reasons, which may not be obvious or visible to the general public. Please refrain from making assumptions in these situations and don’t judge others for not wearing a mask. Please be kind and respectful of everyone while at the TLC. For those patrons who do have exemptions, please ensure patience with TLC staff, as there may be inquiries by several different staff members over the course of your visits!
Why should I wear a face covering or mask?
Wearing a homemade or non-medical mask in public is another tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask and following all COVID-19-related protocols also helps to ensure that our recreational facility can remain open and available for the mental and physical health of our region residents!Wearing a face covering or mask is an important addition in the prevention of COVID-19. It is strongly recommended to wear face coverings or masks in indoor public spaces, especially when it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing of two metres at all times.
How do I wear a face covering or mask properly?
The Government of Alberta provides guidelines on how to properly use a mask, how to care for your cloth masks, and how to make or purchase your own mask.You can also refer to this list of Do’s and Don’ts from the Government of Canada.
~Portions of the above taken from sprucegrove.org
FITNESS AND CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS:
Do people have to wear one while working out?
No, while participating in physical activity face coverings are not required. Once you have checked in at the front desk to get your wristband, have made your way to the second or third floor and are ready to work out, you may remove your face covering. While travelling from machine to machine or to a different fitness area, face coverings are not required. Masks will be required in change rooms and washrooms. If you are participating in a fitness class, you are required to wear your mask/face covering until you have arrived at the designated class location, where you will be physically distanced while participating in the program.
Will my child need to wear a mask in their program?
Children 10 years and older will be required to wear a face covering when entering the facility. Once they are in their designated program space, these will not be required while the children are participating in any activity. If the program nature requires them to wear a mask/face covering, this will be communicated prior to the class start.
How are you enforcing this at the TLC?
Our focus, as always, is on keeping our staff and patrons safe, and face coverings are one additional way we can work together to accomplish this. We will have free disposable masks available at the front desk for patrons who have forgotten theirs, at least for the first several weeks. Non-compliance of our face covering policy may result in being asked to leave the facility.
If I wear a face covering, do I also have to physically distance?
In a perfect world, we would like you to do both! However, we do understand that there are times when remaining at least 2m apart is difficult. We encourage all staff and patrons to do their best to slow the spread of COVID-19, in whatever ways possible while at the TLC.
Finally, we appreciate that this is a big change for many in our community. None of us wants this virus to spread to our families and beyond. Let’s all do our part, wear our masks, and get through this together!
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