COVID-19 Update June 12, 2020
See you soon!
We are so excited to see you next week when the YMCA opens its doors again! Its been a long 3 months and we are definitely Better Together.

We've prepared a safe environment to welcome you back. As we gradually reopen, some of the first changes you will experience are indicators for healthy physical distancing, ample places to sanitize, and significant disinfecting of equipment by members and Y team members during the day. We will deliberately phase in areas and amenities of low risk as we move to full capacity.

Below you will find everything you need to know about returning to the Y during Phase 1. If you have questions, do not hesitate to give us a call.
Phase 1: YMCA hours
The YMCA will be opening on Wednesday June 17 at 10:00am.

During Phase 1, the facility hours will be MONDAY-FRIDAY 6:00am-7:00pm.

There will be a mid-day closure for cleaning from 1:00-2:00pm.

We encourage members with risk factors to stay safe at home. However, visiting after the mid-day cleaning between 2:00-4:00pm would be recommended if you choose to visit.

Following guidance from the State of Minnesota, the FF YMCA is able to open at 25% of capacity. At this time, we will be able to welcome 45 members into the Y at one time.
Reopening the Y
What you need to know:
  • Make sure you are feeling well enough to visit. If you have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider.

  • You will be asked screening questions at the front desk. If your answers determine that you need to stay home, again we will ask you return home and contact your healthcare provider.

  • Have you had one or more of the following new symptoms since the last time you were here that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
  • Fever (100.4˚ F or higher), or feeling feverish?
  • Chills?
  • A new cough?
  • Shortness of breath?
  • A new sore throat?
  • New muscle aches?
  • New headache?
  • New loss of smell or taste?
  • Have you been exposed to anyone that is sick or has the symptoms listed above or has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

  • Members will be asked to physical (social) distance. We want our members to stay safe, especially when working out. Please be aware of physical distancing when on machines, walking the track, and entering/exiting the facility.

  • New check in/check out procedure. Please have your membership card or phone barcode ready to self scan. You will need your card/barcode to scan out when you leave. Please wash your hands and use hand sanitizer before you work out.

  • New exit procedure. After you complete your workout upstairs, please walk down the hallway upstairs towards the female locker room. Please use that stairway downstairs and exit the building through the West door. In addition, in order to be certain we do not exceed the maximum capacity recommended by the State of Minnesota, we will ask you to check OUT using the barcode scanner.

  • Locker rooms and showers will not be available. Please come ready to workout in your clothes and filled water bottle. Drinking fountains will also not be available and bottle fillers should be filled at your own risk.

  • YMCA staff will be wearing face coverings (masks). Members are not required but are encouraged to wear face coverings (masks) in common areas.

  • Expect reduced capacity. Per requirements and recommendations from the CDC and MDH, we will have reduced capacity in our facility. We thank you for your patience when you must wait to participate.

  • Stairways will be one way. The lobby stairway should only be used to go upstairs. The stairway by the female locker room should only be used to go downstairs to exit. If you need to use the elevator, you will still have access.

  • Restroom access may be limited. The Alternative Summer Day camp program will primarily be using the main floor restrooms several times throughout the day. Please use the fitness center restrooms if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phase 1: Will there be group fitness classes?
During Phase 1, we will not be offering any group fitness classes.

In the meantime, we are looking for new ways to offer classes such as outdoor options or holding class in larger spaces within the Y. When we are confident that we can offer group fitness classes safely, we will let our members know.

You are still welcome to visit YMCA360.org and Les Mills on demand for virtual fitness classes from home.

Phase 1: Can I visit with my Y friends?
We love that our members find friendship at the YMCA. While we will not be able to offer you a place to sit and drink coffee together, we encourage you to keep in touch regularly and visit outdoors using physical distancing.

Just like you, we are eagerly waiting for the days of fellowship and coffee in the YMCA lobby to return.
Phase 1: What areas are open?
Spaces available in Phase 1:

  • Upstairs Fitness Facility
  • Walking Track

All other spaces and programs will be gradually brought back in a phased approach. At this time, we don't have a set date for when the next phase will begin.
Phase 1: Who can visit the YMCA?
All active membership units are welcome to come back and use the Y. Those members on hold, must remove their hold status before coming back

Nationwide members are encouraged to visit their home Y and temporarily will not have access.

Community members and visitors wishing to buy a day pass are encouraged to visit during a later phase and temporarily will not have access.

While children are always welcome at the YMCA, at this time children 14 and under are encouraged to stay active at home.
Phase 1: What will the upstairs fitness center be like?
T he upstairs fitness center will look very different initially. We have made big changes to keep our members and employees safe while exercising.

  • All equipment has been spaced out 6 feet from one another

  • Exercise equipment that overlooks the gyms below or faces the walking track have had a temporary partition placed in front. This is to prevent the spread of germs while strenuously exercising. Please do not touch the partition.

  • We have added many new hand sanitizer stations and cleaning stations for members to wipe off their equipment before AND after use.

  • The walking track will now go one direction and members must walk around the track to exit the upstairs space. The outside lane will not be used.

  • Running should exclusively occur on the treadmills. Running on the track is not allowed at this time.
Remove membership from hold status
If you have placed your membership on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to become an active member again, please use the link below. The link will take you to the same form you completed to initially place your membership on hold. It has been updated to include the option to remove the hold early.

If you decide to remove the hold early, you can pay the prorated amount to start the day you complete the form OR you can wait until the start of the next month.
What is the Y doing?
The Y has taken many precautions to serve our members and keep them as safe as possible. We have:

  • Trained the staff according to CDC, WHO, and MDH guidelines
  • Increased access to hand sanitizer and equipment cleaner
  • Installed plexiglass at the front desk
  • Required staff to wear face coverings (masks) and members are encouraged to wear face coverings (not when working out)
  • Reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
  • More space (6 feet) in between exercise equipment
  • Reduced hours to allow for thorough cleaning and sanitizing, including a mid-day closure for a deep clean
  • Implemented a phased approach for opening various spaces and programs
  • Installed temporary partitions in front of cardio equipment
  • Regularly scheduled cleaning of available equipment

To ensure members’ health and safety, we are implementing these protocols to reduce health risks to our members, program participants, and staff. The information is subject to change at any time.