Dynamo Covid-19 Response Update: No classes Monday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 29

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Hello Fall Session Families,

Dynamo has been working wholeheartedly to modify our facility and safety protocols to meet and exceed rapidly changing restrictions introduced as part of Ontario’s new Covid-19 Response Framework strategy.

With expectations the Region of Waterloo would move into the Red-Control category on Friday, Dynamo was very prepared to meet the criteria for that designation. Once the announcement was made, however, the Red zone criteria definitions changed significantly, requiring clarification.

This morning, we received confirmation from Gymnastics Ontario the new Red zone criteria means gymnastics clubs can only host a maximum of 10 people “per facility” at any given time, as opposed to the 10 people “per room” criteria previously listed.

As you can imagine, these changes make it difficult to offer classes as planned, therefore we will be forced to cancel classes from Monday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 29. Credits will automatically be placed on accounts for these missed classes.

Since regulations are ever-changing, we are taking an optimistic and practical approach to programming for the remainder of our Fall Session. We will follow all government announcements and review our program status, providing weekly updates to our members via email and social media. An email has been sent to our current Fall Session members.

While we are disappointed to have to share this news, our first priority is to ensure the health and well-being of our members, our staff and our community. Your patience, support and wonderful feedback has meant the world to us.

If you have questions regarding account credits or programming updates, please call our office at 519-658-4670 (our office is open from 12 to 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday) or email info@dynamogymnastics.ca.

 

 

Covid-19 Safety Plan Update: We’re working hard for your safety

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Greetings members of our Fall Session programs!

Please take a moment to check your email for a message from Dynamo regarding changes we’re making to ensure our club continues to meet and exceed requirements set out in the government’s new Covid-19 Response Framework.

We’re committed to ensuring our environment is as safe as possible and fully complies with government requirements by closely monitoring framework stage changes as they’re announced.

We’re happy to report we received high praise during a ministry inspection visit this week!

Thank you to all our members for their support and positive feedback.

If you did not receive an email today, please contact us at info@dynamogymnastics.ca or call at 519-658-4670.

Dynamo’s Winter Session schedule is out! Ring in 2021 with us!

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This just in!
Our Winter Session Schedule is up and available for viewing on our website. This great winter line-up includes even more Kinder classes to keep up with demand. And we’ve added a new Ninja Gym class on Friday night, too! 😎
Check out our Winter Classes page to view the schedule.
Current Members and Members with Account Credit:
Saturday, Nov. 7 (starting at 9 a.m.)
New Members:
Saturday, Nov. 14 (starting at 9 a.m.)
Registration is available online only, as part of our Covid-19 health and safety measures. (Dynamo is a controlled access facility to help minimize risks to our members and staff.)

FALL in love with gymnastics again with Dynamo

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Dynamo is inviting you to fall in love with gymnastics all over again with our Fall Session 2020 …

Join us as we warm up to the fall with recreational programs offering something for everyone, right from Tiny Tots to Advanced Gymnastics and Tumbling classes.

But wait …there’s more!
Dynamo is launching a new Ninja Gym program featuring brand new Ninja urban gymnastics equipment … a great opportunity for boys/girls who love fast-paced action.

Registration Dates:

Current Members: Friday, Aug. 21 (Starting at 9 a.m. | Online Only)
(Current members include those who left a credit on their account following mandatory Covid-19 closure)

New/General Members: Monday, Aug. 24 (Starting at 9 a.m. | Online Only)

Check our Fall Classes page for schedule details:

Please note:
• Covid-19 Return to Play physical distancing/health and safety protocols will be in place for programs.
• Children aged 4 and under must be accompanied by an adult in-class to assist with physical distancing.

We are excited to see everyone!

Dynamo Summer Recreational Classes are back!

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Start stretching, because recreational programs are back at Dynamo next month!

Programs will look a little different due to changes implemented as part of Covid-19 health and safety requirements (spaces will be limited and participants must be 6-years and up), but we are thrilled to be able to see our recreational classes resume after a long break.

Registration Dates for Summer:

Current Members: opened Friday, July 24
(members who had credit left on their accounts for Spring 2020)
(starting 9 a.m. online only)

New/General Members: Wednesday, July 29
(starting 9 a.m. online only)

Check our Online Registration system for fees and availability.

(Session runs Aug. 4 to Sept. 4)

Summer Camp Update

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We would like to thank our families already registered in our Summer Camp 2020 programs for their patience. We hope you are all staying well.

Dynamo is planning to offer our Summer Camp programs as scheduled, and we are especially excited after the province of Ontario announced summer camps will go ahead, with strict health and safety restrictions in place.

At this time Dynamo, along with other gymnastics clubs across Ontario, is awaiting direction from our sport governing body as to what guidelines will be implemented to ensure safety of all participants and staff. In anticipation of offering camp programs, we are diligently planning camp activities that will comply with new health and safety restrictions, including physical distancing.

We would also like to share important news that Dynamo was permitted by the province to resume training for our competitive members as of June 1, and our Covid-19 safety and cleaning protocols have already been inspected by Region of Waterloo Public Health. We passed with flying colours! We have specified entrance and exit protocols, gym use rotations and exceptional cleaning schedules. We have secured cleaning products and technology, including an electro-static sprayer, which are all approved to kill Covid-19 and are safe for use. We also have a thermal scanner on site to screen for fevers. The same attention to detail will most certainly be applied to our recreational programs.

We fully understand, however, not all families may feel comfortable reintroducing their children to recreational programs just yet. We are very sensitive to these issues and will offer credits/refunds for camp. Refunds (made via cheque only) must be requested one week before the start of a registered camp. Credits, applied to Dynamo family accounts, will not expire and can be used toward future programs or purchase of merchandise.

We are looking forward to seeing smiling faces back in the gym for camp and we will update our families as soon as we receive more news regarding summer camp programs. Please note we will be asking families to sign updated waivers as part of Gymnastics Ontario’s Covid-19 response plan.

Stay safe and well everyone! We hope to see you all soon!

Summer Camp is On!

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Dynamo Gymnastics Summer Camps approved to run!

It’s On! Gymnastics Summer Camps have been officially approved by Gymnastics Ontario, which means summer camps can begin as of July 6!

Our Summer Camps have always been a much-loved opportunity to engage in active, positive sport and recreation programs, and we’re working hard to make sure that continues, even during these challenging times.

Dynamo will implement the same exceptional cleaning and organization protocols adopted and tested upon the return of our competitive team on June 1. We have already been inspected by the Region of Waterloo Public Health and passed with flying colours!

While the spirit embraced in our Summer Camp program will feel the same, camps will look and run a little differently in order to comply with health and safety protocols. Here are just a few of the changes:

  • Structured entrance and exit practices / divided gym zones to ensure physical distancing
  • Daily health screening, including on-site thermal scans, to ensure everyone is healthy enough to attend camp
  • Heightened cleaning and sanitizing using electro-static spray technology / non-toxic cleaners approved to kill Covid-19 virus
  • Smaller group sizes | no overlap between groups
  • Added supervision to monitor physical distancing and provide support
  • Planned rotations to ensure equipment is cleaned and sanitized before and after each use
  • Emphasis on smart and safe hygiene etiquette, including repeated handwashing and use of hand sanitizers / Child-friendly signage to boost education

Other important information

  • All families must complete Covid-19 Gymnastics Ontario waivers before attending Camp programs
  • As of June 22, campers must be at least six years old to register. We will, however, honour previously enrolled campers aged 4 and 5. (All campers must absolutely be bathroom independent!)
  • As directed by the provincial government and Gymnastics Ontario, no spotting is currently permitted in camp programs.
  • To comply with new regulations, Before-Care and After-Care will no longer be offered (Reminder: this was a free service)
  • Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. following a “Kiss at the Curb” protocol
  • Viewing lounge is closed and repurposed for camp use and to minimize numbers in the building

For more information about Dynamo Summer Camp health and safety practices, as well as policies regarding refunds and credit, visit our Covid-19 Return to Play document.

To find out more about Dynamo’s Summer Camp themes, visit our Camps Section. To register online, visit our Online Registration feature.

We are thrilled to be able to offer our Summer Camp programs and look forward to seeing you in the gym with us!

Sincerely,

Your Dynamo Team

Covid-19 Response: A message to our Spring families

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A message to our valued Dynamo families,

Some time has passed since we’ve reached out to you, and we hope you’re all safe and healthy as our communities begin the welcome, yet cautious, steps to prepare for the new normal in the times of Covid-19.

At Dynamo, we’re always optimistic and we remained hopeful we might be able to resume at least part of our Spring session, especially after the Ontario government gave the green light allowing gymnastics clubs to re-open as of May 19. While truly exciting, the announcement was accompanied by strict restrictions, permitting only competitive programs to return to training, ruling out possibilities to offer recreational programs during this first phase of re-opening. Under guidance from our sport governing body, Gymnastics Ontario, our competitive program will return on June 1.

This brings us to the reason for contacting you today. It is with a heavy heart we must let our loyal families know we will not be able to offer any Spring Session classes. Any members enrolled in our Spring Session have received full credit for the session on their Dynamo family accounts, credit which can be used to enroll in any future programs at Dynamo. This credit does not expire and can be used toward any program or purchase of merchandise. For inquiries regarding refunds, please email info@dynamogymnastics.ca. Refunds are available via mailed cheques only.

We anticipate the provincial government will allow recreational programs to re-open this summer, including summer camps, with strict safety protocols in place. We will update members as soon as possible regarding summer camp availability.

We are eternally grateful for the wonderful messages we’ve received from our members during these challenging months, and we continue to work hard to earn that support. We have utilized this time of closure to physically restructure our facility to allow for physical distancing and develop safety and cleaning best practices that go far above industry standards.

For a peek at some of the changes implemented to welcome the return of our competitive program, please see some of our video explainers:

Back to a New Normal at Dynamo: Preparing for Return to Training
https://youtu.be/axxC82Gu2ok

Electrostatic Sprayer Disinfects Equipment and kills Covid-19
https://youtu.be/RyfPC0_wQfY

We can all agree Covid-19 has changed our lives immensely, but we are doing our absolute best to find our way forward in this period of “new normal”. Our community’s children deserve to experience the physical and social benefits of sport and recreation and we’ll be here waiting for them.

We wish you all health and happiness and look forward to seeing you back in the gym soon.

Sincerely,

Your Dynamo Team

Dynamo Covid-19 Bulletin: Spring Session Updates

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Dear Dynamo Gymnastics Membership,

We are reaching out to our members to extend a sincere thank you for your patience as we do our very best to adapt recreational programming to reflect rapidly unfolding developments as a result of the unprecedented Covid-19 virus.

As we are closely following guidance from government and health authorities, Dynamo will be further delaying the start of our Spring Session. We are obligated to do our part to protect the well-being of our members and staff and have a duty to help flatten the curve and preserve our all-important health care system.

At this time, we are working to develop creative and flexible gymnastics program options for families already enrolled in our Spring Session, and we’re optimistic our solutions will be worth the wait. Families familiar with Dynamo and our staff know we always go above and beyond for our members. This time of crisis is no exception.

We will communicate revised program options for a new Spring Session start date as soon as more details are available. We are asking our members to stay the course with us in anticipation of a return to programming, when it’s safe to do so.

Although these feel like dark days, it’s vital we remain positive. Once we move through these challenging times – and we will – we will need to help our children re-engage in the community and we will be here to provide positive and engaging recreational gymnastics programming.

While Dynamo is closed, we are actively cleaning and sanitizing our facility’s equipment and are updating our protocols to be sensitive to new health awareness standards.

Please be assured your program spot in our soon-to-be-updated session plan is secure, and your Dynamo family account will be appropriately adjusted to reflect any credit due once our new session options are announced. (Please note: Credit is defined as unused funds placed on your Dynamo account.) Credits do not expire and can be used for any purchase at Dynamo.

We are proud to be part of a greater 37-million-strong Team Canada working together to navigate this pandemic, and we thank everyone for their efforts, especially our front-line health care workers and essential store employees who are stepping up when we need them the most.

Please note our Dynamo facility is closed during this period of social distancing, and we are only communicating via email. Voicemail messages cannot be returned at this time. Please email info@dynamogymnastics.ca with inquiries. We ask for continued patience, as we’re doing our best to respond as soon as possible.

We wish all of our members health and happiness.

Sincerely,

Your Dynamo Team

Dynamo Covid-19 Response Update – March 23, 2020

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Covid-19 Response Bulletin from Dynamo Gymnastics

A message to members: We all need to do our part to Flatten the Curve

Following the appropriate direction of government authorities to prevent spread of Covid-19, Dynamo is doing our part and has temporarily closed our facility. In order to protect the well-being of our staff, we are only communicating via email at this time. We ask for your patience in the coming weeks, as we are all doing our best to navigate this extraordinary time.

We tentatively plan to resume programming as of April 5, but we appreciate how quickly things are changing and will closely monitor updates as announced. Please rest assured previously registered spots in Spring Session/Summer Camp are secure.

In this unprecedented time, we are committed to working together with our community to remain strong, ready to rise again, and prepare for the “new normal” … preferring to plan, not panic, in an effort to keep our community’s children active and engaged … when it’s safe to do so.

At Dynamo, we consider our members to be an extension of our club’s family, and we wish you all health and happiness during this time. A sincere thank you to our many members who reached out to send best wishes to our incredible staff, in anticipation of a return to gymnastics.

A commitment to cleanliness: At Dynamo, we are known for providing an exceptionally clean and safe environment, and we’re committed to intensifying sanitizing efforts to meet and exceed health and safety recommendations.

Program Status Updates:

March Break: Following cancellation of March Break Camp, Dynamo is offering members a choice of full refunds/credit. Credit does not expire and can be used for any purchase at Dynamo. If you have not already done so, email info@dynamogymnastics.ca regarding your preference. Please note refunds for payments made using on-site point of can only be processed once the office reopens.

Spring Session: As per our planned postponement of the Spring Session, all members registered in Spring classes have automatically received a pro-rated credit on their accounts. Credit does not expire and can be used for any purchases at Dynamo. Further updates regarding the Spring session will be shared as soon as more information becomes available.

PD Day Camp: Our April 3 PD Day Camp has been cancelled and credit/refunds will be made available. Credit does not expire and can be used for any purchases at Dynamo. Please email info@dynamogymnastics.ca with any inquiries. Please note refunds for payments made using on-site point of sale cannot be processed until the office reopens.

Parties: Any Birthday Parties booked during the closure period can be credited/refunded/rescheduled. Credits do not expire and can be used for any purchases at Dynamo. Please email info@dynamogymnastics.ca with any inquiries. Please note refunds for payments made using on-site point of sale cannot be processed until the office reopens.

Summer Camp/Summer Classes:  No changes have been announced affecting registration for Summer Camps or Classes at this time, but we will continue to monitor public authority updates as they’re announced.

Please check back with us for further updates.

For up-to-date information on the Covid-19 Virus and how to best protect yourself, visit Region of Waterloo Public Health.