COVID-19 Facility Guidelines

• Continued use of our facilities depends on all participants and organizations following the safety protocols in place for reduced risk of transmission of COVID-19. 
• Check before you Rec! Pre-screen, then check to make sure you know the rules of the facility you’re visiting, and the public health guidelines. All cities and townships have published facility-specific rules on their websites, there is guidance available from public health, and all the information has been provided to affiliated minor sport associations across Waterloo Region. The importance of Check before you Rec is currently being promoted region-wide.

The standardized rules for all recreation facilities and community centres across Waterloo Region include:

• Mandatory pre-screening before arriving at facilities. This information is important for contact tracing purposes. Organization and rental customers must actively screen their participants and those in attendance. This could include online tools or in person.
• Physical distancing of 6 feet/2 metres from others applies at all times, including outdoors while waiting for entry or when exiting, and indoors while wearing a mask.
• Face coverings are required at all times with the exception of sports participants during play (e.g. on ice, on a court). Face coverings are required on all walking tracks.
• Enter the facility “dressed to participate” in your program. Please check with your specific organization for details. Dressing room use is a privilege in all facilities. Dressing rooms differ in each building in materials, air exchange, and user load capacities. The current state of virus transmission places these areas as potential high risk.
• Only one guardian per minor aged participant is permitted, for capacity requirements. If a guardian arrives with an additional sibling, the sibling is allowed to enter with the guardian; once the participant is ready for their activity, the guardian and sibling are required to leave. If there are emergency circumstances staff will attempt to accommodate the request. Additional procedures specific to each facility differ slightly (due to differences in facility size, number of entry points, staffing levels, building type, financial implications etc.). Participants are expected to know and follow the rules of the specific facility they are visiting, as all rules were developed with public health guidance, and are equally important to reduce the risk of transmission in our organized sports settings.
• The constantly shifting nature of our community situation means rules and procedures may continue to change as we work to keep facilities open
• Participants and families should be aware that the risk of transmission is not limited to during games and sport. Activities among participants and families before, during and after play can all have an impact on potential spread:
  • The use of locker/dressing rooms
  • carpooling with members outside a player's household
  • eating together among teammates, parents, coaches and other children
  • team staff members who are involved in more than one team
  • individuals not wearing masks
  • all other possibilities for exposure when interacting with those outside of your own household
• We know that these rules and procedures create an additional challenge during an already tough time, and appreciate everyone's patience and understanding. The guidelines will continue to be assessed as our local situation evolves.
• If everyone works together to do their part - facilities, sports associations, teams, coaches, players, parents and public - and follow the measures we can minimize the risks in these settings. 

Using the Ice Pads at the Wilmot Recreation Complex during COVID-19

When arriving at the Wilmot Recreation Complex for use of either Ice Pad, the following will be observed:

• Mandatory screening/contact tracing is required.  Participants should screen through their organization. Parents/guardians/spectators may prescreen ahead of time, and show proof at the front doors to save time. COVID Screening page 
• Physical distancing of 6 feet/2 metres from others applies at all times, including outdoors while waiting for entry or when exiting, and indoors while wearing a mask. 
• Dressing room access is available 15 minutes prior to ice time, and must be vacated 15 minutes after ice time.  Capacity limits are reduced to accommodate physical distancing. Masks must be worn, and may be removed when helmets are on, and players are ready to access the ice surface.  Showers are NOT available.
• Physical distancing and masks are not required while engaged in sport
• Parents and spectators are permitted in the facility, including the stands and lobby.  Capacity limits are posted accordingly.  

Using the Wilmot Aquatic Centre during COVID-19

• In order to help keep our community safe, the Township of Wilmot is introducing a new pre-screening tool that all individuals entering our facility will be required to complete. This screening must be submitted on the day of entry into a recreation facility. Please visit our COVID Screening page to complete your screening.
• All aquatic participants 18 years of age or older and spectators 12 years of age and older will be required to provide Proof of Vaccination and present identification 
• All programs will have a maximum capacity based on physical distancing requirements. 
• All participants must wear a mask/face coving in public (into the facility and exiting the facility.) Mask/face coverings do not need to be worn on the pool deck and may NOT be worn in the water. Mask/Face coverings can pose a safety risk when they get wet.
• Be prepared to enter the facility with your bathing suit on. Change rooms will NOT be available before swimming.
• The admission to the deck will begin 10 minutes prior to the start of your program. Upon entering the facility follow the arrows to the lower viewing gallery doors where you will have access to the deck.
• Customers will have 10 minutes to leave the facility after their program.
• Do not bring valuables with you. Only bring what you need. LOCKERS are not available at this time. Place your belongings in a plastic bag and leave it on the deck. Bags must be placed in the designated areas so they are not a trip hazard. Items are to be placed 6 feet away from other peoples belongings.
• A rinsing shower will be available prior to swimming on the pool deck. Change room showers will NOT be available for after swimming. Washroom facilities will be available as needed. This area will be limited to one customer or one house hold at a time
• There will be limited EQUIPMENT used during your aquafit class, open swim, family swims or length swims. Deep water belts will be available and they will be disinfected after every class. Please do not bring your own equipment as the instructor is unable to supervise all the different equipment that could be brought to class. 
• Admission Policy is in affect for Open Swims, Family Swims and Length Swims.   
• Recreational Swims – Swim Admission policy guidelines apply to swimming. 

Using the Walking Track during COVID-19

INFORMATION FOR USERS

• In order to help keep our community safe, the Township of Wilmot is introducing a new pre-screening tool that all individuals entering our facility will be required to complete. This screening must be submitted on the day of entry into a recreation facility. Please visit our COVID Screening page to complete your screening. 
• All participants 18 years of age or older will be required to provide Proof of Vaccination and present identification 
• No Glass containers or bottles allowed.
• All participants must wear a mask/face covering at all times while in the public spaces of the Wilmot Recreation complex. This includes while on the track, in the washrooms and in lobby & staircase areas.
• Walking is permitted, there will be no running on the track at this time.
• Maintain physical distancing requirements. Share the space when passing other users using the inside lanes.
• Lockers are not available at this time.
• Any users under the age of 13 must be accompanied and actively supervised by someone 18 years or older.
• Self screen prior to attending and stay home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.