Reopening

We are excited to welcome you back to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. As we have done all along, we have taken our lead from public health experts and government leaders to make sure that your health and safety as well as our staff’s health and safety is the number one priority.

Want to see the steps to get back in to the Centre fast?

When you come to the Centre, you’re going to notice several changes we have made to ensure we live up to our commitment to keep everyone safe. The most significant change will be a reduction in the number users in the building at any given time. The capacity of amenities and other spaces will also be reduced to safe numbers. These changes will allow us to ensure that physical distancing can be practiced regardless of where you are in the Centre.

The other change you will notice will be the enhanced cleanliness and hygiene measures we have put in place. For starters cleaning staff have been added to disinfect high-touch surfaces and other areas throughout the day. Amenities and other spaces will be closed at the end of each session to allow equipment and surfaces to be disinfected. Disinfectant wipes will be readily available for users and staff to clean equipment before and after use. Collectively these measures and more will keep our Centre safe.  

Health & Safety Principles

It is currently understood that SARS-COV-2 is spread through the air by droplets from coughs and sneezes but also aerosolized even by talking.  It may also spread by contact with surfaces that COVID-19 carriers have previously touched as the virus may live on surfaces for days.  In order to ensure safety both for staff and users the factors of health checks upon arrival, physical distancing, the use of barrier devices, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces and equipment will be of paramount importance to keep staff and customers safe.

Health Checks Upon Arrival

• Upon arrival both staff and users will be required to check in for verification that they are authorized to be on site.  Access is limited to only those with authorization to enter for each phase.
• A brief health questionnaire will be conducted (questions such as any COVID symptoms, have you been with anyone with COVID symptoms, have you recently travelled) to ensure very low risk.
• Non-contact forehead temperature is taken to ensure no fever for verification of health status.
• Entry to the building will be denied for anyone who answers as a risk either from the health questions or from the thermometer test and provided with instructions. 

Physical Distancing

• Physical distancing will be in place (2 metres/6 feet) for all users not living in the same household.
• Gathering restrictions will be in effect and enforced.
• Modified room occupancies have been determined to ensure physical distancing requirements to limit the possibility of exposure.
• Designated entries and exits for all staff and building users have been determined.
• Traffic flow is planned and signage used to maintain social distancing in corridors and stairwells.  Floor decals guide traffic paths.
• Building users will arrive at the building already changed for their activities and changerooms will be closed to avoid physical distancing issues.
• The Universal Changerooms will open for designated aquatic users only as this changeroom has private change spaces that provide physical separation between users.  Spaced-out access to the showers is for prior to swimming (heath regulation requirement) and not afterwards to keep traffic flowing out and to limit time in the building.

Masks and Other Barrier Devices

• Masks will be mandatory for all staff and users to be in the building during the COVID pandemic and masks. Users are expected to provide their own masks, and they will be for sale (while supplies last) at the Centre.
• Other PPE such as gloves, gowns, and face shields will be made available for staff and users as appropriate (e.g. for the provision of first aid).
• Plexiglass shields installed for Customer Service desks to protect workers.
• Masks will not be required in the swimming pools, instead physical distancing will be rigidly enforced.
• Masks will also not be required while eating but physical distancing will be assured through the provision of additional space provided for staff.  Outdoor patio areas are expanded to provide the space for physical distancing.

Cleaning and Disinfection

• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection will take place for all high touch surfaces (e.g. door handles, Customer Service counters, automatic door operators, elevator buttons, toilet flush handles, etc.).
• Disinfectants used will be only those listed as approved against COVID on the Government of Canada website for use on hard surfaces.
• Extra cleaning staff will be scheduled for operational hours, dedicated to continuously disinfecting surfaces.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at all entrances to the building, including at the loading dock, as well as located in the building at entrances to fields of play, etc.
• All TPASC equipment (e.g. basketballs) will be disinfected by TPASC staff or by users.  Sharing of equipment will not be permitted unless members of the same household.  Some equipment will not be provided because it cannot be adequately disinfected (e.g. boxing gloves).
• Towel service will not be available.
• Disinfecting wipes will be available for Fitness Centre users to disinfect equipment prior to and after use.
• Soap and water are available in numerous locations throughout the building and cleaning staff are checking stock levels frequently.
• Overnight cleaning will be thorough with all surfaces cleaned and disinfected.

Air Handling

• Air handling units are state-of-the-art and, as always, continuously add fresh outdoor air, filter the air, and temper the air.
• Air handling unit (AHU) filters receive regular and timely filter changes.
• Preventative maintenance on AHUs is moved to overnight so that there is no downtime during operational hours.
• Additional fresh air will be added to the system, as possible, in consideration also of outdoor air temperatures.