How SFU's Fitness and Aquatic centre can keep you safe and active

When SFU’s Fitness and Aquatic centre re-opened in October last year, it welcomed back new and returning residents, students, staff and faculty.

“Our members are appreciative that we’re open again,” says Nick Sirski, recreation and fitness manager. “Those I talked to said this was their first time coming back to a gym since closures, and that was a really nice thing to hear.”

Not long after the re-opening however, SFU’s COVID-19 Impact Rating Scale rose from High (H2) to High (H1). As a result, the Fitness and Aquatic centre team had to come up with new ways to keep the centre open while still maintaining health and safety restrictions.

“Our safety plans are very robust, so we were well prepared,” says Sue Armitage, recreation programs manager. “When the new restrictions happened, it was just a bit of tweaking here and there.”

The new regulations require members to reserve a work-out slot 48 hours to 15 minutes before arriving at the centre. Members must arrive in swimwear/work-out gear, wear a mask in all indoor common areas, fill out a health-screening questionnaire and have their temperature taken. Members receive their own spray bottle and are asked to spray any equipment before and after use. As well, staff also regularly clean and disinfect the spaces.

As well, each centre has specific regulations. At the Aquatic Centre, lanes are limited to one member at a time. Members are asked to swim in the middle of the lane to avoid close contact with others. Each member is also provided a plastic folding chair for their belongings. At the Fitness Centre, some equipment is unavailable and work-outs are done individually to maintain social distancing.

Due to limitations, change rooms and showers remain closed. Lockers are also unavailable.

“As one of the only open facilities on campus, we can be that outlet for people to come take a break from studying or from the current state of the world,” says Curtis Lau, sports and campus coordinator. “They can come to the centre and just pay attention to their fitness knowing we’ve taken all the safety precautions.”

If going to campus isn’t an option for you, SFU Recreation’s Healthy at Home program offers live and pre-recorded fitness classes on the SFU Rec website, and Instagram and YouTube channels.