Starting Saturday, Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) gymnasiums will be available to public groups. 

In Wednesday鈥檚 announcement, superintendent Ed Lippert said the gym bookings will come with some changes to ensure health and safety requirements. Among them, mandatory gym cleanings between bookings, limits on the number of total participants and records of participants for contact tracing. 

鈥淵K1 values and understands the importance of exercise and physical wellness, especially during the colder months,鈥� Lippert said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to make our gyms available to public user groups so they too can enjoy physical activity and team sports during the winter.鈥� 

The City of Yellowknife, who administers the bookings, has already communicated expectations to user groups. Compared to previous years, Lippert said gym bookings will be limited, adding that they may reconsider the issue in the new year. 

YK1 is currently in the process of recruiting additional custodial staff to clean facilities between each user group, however those using the space are responsible for sanitizing equipment and high-touch areas after their sessions. 

User groups will also be responsible for contact tracing. 鈥淕roups should keep detailed lists of nightly participants complete with contact information,鈥� Lippert said. 

As it stands, available gyms include:

• N.J. Macpherson School
• Range Lake North School
• Mildred Hall School
• 脡cole William McDonald Middle School
• 脡cole Sir John Franklin High School 

鈥淭he school district considered a range of health and safety issues as part of its decision-making process,鈥� Lippert said. 鈥淭he possibility of contamination, the provision of personal protective equipment and the recruitment of casual janitorial staff among others.

鈥淎s always, YK1鈥檚 first priority is the health and safety of its staff, students and families, which is why public user groups can expect to see some changes when they rent gyms this school year.鈥�