Weights, exercise equipment at Aurora Family Leisure Complex reopen

Most fitness classes remain virtual for now amid loosening of COVID-19 gym restrictions

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 13, 2020
Lisa Queen

Get ready to pump iron, Aurora residents.

With the provincial government easing modified Stage 2 COVID-19 restrictions on gyms in York Region, the town has announced it is reopening the Club Aurora Fitness Centre at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex on Nov. 11 for the use for weights and equipment space.

Most group fitness classes will remain virtual, with some transitioning to in-person over time starting on Nov. 16. These will be listed on the town’s website at aurora.ca/reopen.

All participants are required to preregister online for the use of weights and equipment and/or classes at e-PLAY at aurora.ca/eplay. For more information, visit www.aurora.ca/en/recreation-arts-and-culture/fitness-centre.aspx#How-to-Register-for-a-Workout-Time.

Participants can purchase one-month or three-month memberships or pay as you go.

Members who previously had a one-month membership prior to closure on Oct. 19 have been refunded. They may now buy new memberships.

Those that had a three-month membership prior to closure on Oct. 19 had their membership put on hold. They were credited and refunded for the 23 days the gym was closed.

Participants are required to maintain a three-metre distance between each other. Maximum capacities are determined based on the requirement to maintain three metres of distance.

Change room access will be for washroom use only.

Aquatic drop-ins, such as lane swim, using the therapy pool at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex Therapy Pool and aquafit classes, as well as swim lessons and permit holders, are not affected.

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Playgrounds and play structures remain open.

Recreation facilities will continue to operate under modified operating procedures, according to the provincial guidelines.

All municipal offices such as the town hall, the Aurora Public Library, the Aurora Museum and Archives, the Aurora Cultural Centre and the Joint Operations Centre are still closed to the public.

Town council and committee meetings will continue to take place virtually.

Mayor Tom Mrakas applauded the government’s new targeted approach to COVID-19 in hot spot communities such as York Region, rather than the previous blanket shutdown of businesses.

“This new targeted framework provides a balanced, sustainable and proactive approach that will keep our businesses open while we minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19,” he said in a statement.