Ithaca Y Policies and Guidelines
For all member and guest policies please consult the member guide.
Activity fee
For those visiting the area, the YMCA offers the option of an “activity fee” which allows the person to participate in an activity or use the facility at $10 for adults 18 and up, $6 for ages 13-17, and $4 for youth ages 12 and under. Guests ages 13-17 must have ID or checked in by an adult 18+ to enter the facility. This fee covers use of the facility for any length of time; once you leave the facility you must pay it again to re-enter (even if within the same day).
age guidelines
0-9 years must be directly supervised by an adult 18 years or older at the YMCA, unless the child is participating in a YMCA staff supervised program. These participants should be walked into the facility, checked into programs, and picked up directly from the program. This age may not be in or utilize the fitness equipment areas.
10-12 years may use the YMCA without direct supervision if an adult 18 years or older, or parent is within the facility. These children must abide by all YMCA policies. Members may be trained to use the cardio equipment only; they may not utilize weight bearing equipment.
13-17 years must present either their Y ID or personal ID. Members may use all YMCA activities without adult supervision, including courts, gymnasium, fitness areas (with appropriate training and trainer approval), & swimming pools while abiding by Y policies. Non-members may NOT utilize the weight or cardio equipment.
10-12 years may use the YMCA without direct supervision if an adult 18 years or older, or parent is within the facility. These children must abide by all YMCA policies. Members may be trained to use the cardio equipment only; they may not utilize weight bearing equipment.
13-17 years must present either their Y ID or personal ID. Members may use all YMCA activities without adult supervision, including courts, gymnasium, fitness areas (with appropriate training and trainer approval), & swimming pools while abiding by Y policies. Non-members may NOT utilize the weight or cardio equipment.
Attire
Appropriate and safe clothing and footwear must be worn at all times. No string or thong bikinis in the pool area, only clean sneakers in the workout areas. Shirts must be worn in every area except the pool. Please change clothing in locker rooms only.
child watch
Reservations are strongly recommended for the ChildWatch rooms. If no reservations are made we may close the room or we may be full and unable to take any additional children.
When making reservations please ensure to include the child's first and last name.
Those signing children in or out of any childcare area must be 18 or older or be the child’s legal guardian.
A late fee of $1.00 per minute per child will be applied after the 2 hour maximum and/or after the area closes. Payment of late fees will be issued at the time of pick up are expected before the child returns.
There is an arrival grace period of 30 minutes, if the reserved child does not show up the room may potentially close.
The Stay n Play requires socks, there are no shoes or bare feet allowed on the structure.
If your child is a family or youth member, you may leave the facility. If the child is a non-member the guardian must stay in the facility.
Before a child may be left in a ChildWatch area an emergency card must be filled out and on file in the room
Children may only be picked up by those listed on their emergency card.
When making reservations please ensure to include the child's first and last name.
Those signing children in or out of any childcare area must be 18 or older or be the child’s legal guardian.
A late fee of $1.00 per minute per child will be applied after the 2 hour maximum and/or after the area closes. Payment of late fees will be issued at the time of pick up are expected before the child returns.
There is an arrival grace period of 30 minutes, if the reserved child does not show up the room may potentially close.
The Stay n Play requires socks, there are no shoes or bare feet allowed on the structure.
If your child is a family or youth member, you may leave the facility. If the child is a non-member the guardian must stay in the facility.
Before a child may be left in a ChildWatch area an emergency card must be filled out and on file in the room
Children may only be picked up by those listed on their emergency card.
Credits/refunds
On approved occasions the Y issues credits for membership/programs. These credits may be utilized for non-draft membership options, program sign-up and merchandise. These credits are nontransferable and must be used within a 24 month period or will be no longer available.
If a program is canceled by the YMCA, every attempt will be made to place you in another convenient class. Should rescheduling be impossible, a YMCA credit will be given. Sign ups are not transferable to or from another registered participant. If a participant withdraws from a program or class because of medical or military reasons, YMCA credit for the missed class(es) may be issued; contact the Membership Coordinator. Programs are non-refundable and credits are not issued for partial use of a program. Private lessons may only be cancelled or changed with 24 hours notice and when a doctor’s note is submitted. No refunds will be considered, and a credit will be considered only when the doctor’s note is shown to the Membership Coordinator. On the rare occasion credits are issued, they will be valid for 24 months from the date it is issued.
If a program is canceled by the YMCA, every attempt will be made to place you in another convenient class. Should rescheduling be impossible, a YMCA credit will be given. Sign ups are not transferable to or from another registered participant. If a participant withdraws from a program or class because of medical or military reasons, YMCA credit for the missed class(es) may be issued; contact the Membership Coordinator. Programs are non-refundable and credits are not issued for partial use of a program. Private lessons may only be cancelled or changed with 24 hours notice and when a doctor’s note is submitted. No refunds will be considered, and a credit will be considered only when the doctor’s note is shown to the Membership Coordinator. On the rare occasion credits are issued, they will be valid for 24 months from the date it is issued.
code of conduct
The Ithaca Y prohibits behavior that is considered inappropriate, which includes (but is not limited to): Profanity, abusive, and/or threatening language, theft of property, physical contact with another person or aggressive behavior. Criminal conduct of any kind, consumption of illegal drugs or alcohol while on the property, being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol while on YMCA property. The Ithaca YMCA is proud to be a tobacco free zone.
emergency procedures and first aid
Please report all incidents, injuries and emergencies to the Ithaca Y Welcome Center. An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is located at the Welcome Center and in the Cardio Room. An incident report must be completed and signed whenever Y staff assist in an injury.
fitness area
Please limit time on the cardio equipment to a 30 minute workout. Carry clean and dry fitness shoes into the Y for use in the building. No boots, flip flops, sandals, or open toed shoes please. Please wipe down each piece of equipment you use with paper towels provided, paying particular attention to where your hands have touched. Bath-sized towels are available at the Welcome Center to rent for $0.75 each.
free weight room
Members are asked to re-rack all weights and bars. Members should not drop dumbbells. Barbells maybe dropped in the ‘DROP ZONE’ only. Footwear is required, except in the ‘DROP ZONE’ area ONLY. Spotters are strongly recommended. Shirts and appropriate attire must be worn at all times. No food or glass container in the room. All barbells must have collars on while lifting. Members are asked to wipe down equipment after use. Music and volume settings are at the discretion of Y staff.
group fitness classes
A majority of our group fitness classes are designed for any level of skill to join and enjoy. Our instructors are open to questions about form or position before, during or after class. Our classes (unless otherwise specified) are for those ages 13 and over. Some require registration, any class with minimal participants may be cancelled. The schedule is subject to change.
Illness
We ask that adults refrain from working out or using the facility and that no one attends program if they are experiencing any of the below symptoms. Children may not attend our SACC or ChildWatch with any of the following:
Fever (99 degrees or above) Green discharge from nose
Vomiting or Diarrhea Unknown skin rash
Evidence of head lice Conjunctivitis
Severe coughing, wheezing, or other difficulty breathing
Abnormal behavior i.e. lethargy, irritability, persistent crying.
Children may return to ChildWatch or SACC after 24 hours of none of the above symptoms.
Fever (99 degrees or above) Green discharge from nose
Vomiting or Diarrhea Unknown skin rash
Evidence of head lice Conjunctivitis
Severe coughing, wheezing, or other difficulty breathing
Abnormal behavior i.e. lethargy, irritability, persistent crying.
Children may return to ChildWatch or SACC after 24 hours of none of the above symptoms.
inclement weather
If it is necessary to close the Y due to inclement weather or due to any emergency situation, information will be posted on our website, Facebook page, the Y App, and local news outlets.
locker room
We offer 5 locker rooms to suit your needs. The men’s and women’s locker room are for those ages 13 and older only. We have boys and girls locker rooms for those 12 years and under (and their accompanying adult). Children 4 and under may utilize the opposite gender youth locker room with their supervising adult. We also have ‘The Changing Room’ for members or visitors in wheelchairs and/or those who have an aide of opposite gender adults responsible for children of opposite gender 5 years or older who are unable to use appropriate children’s locker room
locker use
Members and program members may use lockers on a daily basis. If you would like to leave your belongings in a locker overnight, you must rent a locker (see the Welcome Center for details). It is the policy of the YMCA that any belongings left in an un-rented locker overnight will be removed and donated to charity. Please note that all participants are encouraged to bring a lock to secure their personal belongings. The YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.
membership
YMCA memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable. Those with plans to leave the area should inquire about the perpetual draft membership option. Members selecting the perpetual draft option may terminate the membership with a written request by the 25th of the previous month. The bank draft also allows members to temporarily “suspend” the membership for a period of time. The draft does have to draft from the account a minimum of once before it can be cancelled or “suspended.” Membership is a privilege, and the YMCA reserves the right to revoke these privileges as necessary. The draft does have to draft from the account a minimum of once before it can be cancelled or “suspended.”
member guest
Adult members are encouraged to bring guests to the YMCA. A non-member can be a guest of an adult member twice for free. A member can bring up to two guests at one time and the member must accompany them in the facility.
nationwide membership
Nationwide Membership enables you to visit any participating Y in the United States through membership at your “home” YMCA (your home lo-cation is the facility that enrolled you as a member and that collects your membership dues). Ys have come together to offer this because we want to help you reach your health and wellness goals wherever you live, work or travel. This is an essential part of our cause of strengthening communities.
What You Need to Know:
Valid for active, full facility YMCA members
Nationwide Member visitors must use their home Y at least 50% of the time or you will be asked to change your membership to the Y you are utilizing more than 50% of the time.
Program-only participants and special memberships are not eligible for Nationwide Membership.
Nationwide Membership visitors are able to utilize the facility only, all programs with fees, ChildWatch, fundraisers, etc. would be at the non-member rate.
What You Need to Know:
Valid for active, full facility YMCA members
Nationwide Member visitors must use their home Y at least 50% of the time or you will be asked to change your membership to the Y you are utilizing more than 50% of the time.
Program-only participants and special memberships are not eligible for Nationwide Membership.
Nationwide Membership visitors are able to utilize the facility only, all programs with fees, ChildWatch, fundraisers, etc. would be at the non-member rate.
notifications of cancellations and closings
Your schedule is very important to us, and we do our best to ensure that schedules are followed and the facility is available during normal hours of operation. However, on occasion, we must close the pool, cancel a class or close the whole facility. When we deter from our normal schedule, we do our best to utilize technology to inform you; sending member email, posting to Facebook, and reflecting the change on our website.
Please make sure we have your most up-to-date email address and that you have liked our Facebook page; this will ensure you have the latest information.
Please make sure we have your most up-to-date email address and that you have liked our Facebook page; this will ensure you have the latest information.
programs
Advance registration is required for all programs. To receive the member rate on any program, the participant must remain a member for the duration of the program, or choose the non-member rate. All balance dues on a unit must be paid before the participant is allowed to enroll in another program. Guardians of children 0-9 years old must stay in their children's program area, including aquatics programs, for the duration of the program. Guardians of children 10-12 years old are required to stay in the facility but do not have to be in the immediate area of the program.
All balance dues must be paid before the participant is allowed to enroll in another program.
All balance dues must be paid before the participant is allowed to enroll in another program.
phones/electronics
Due to advances in video technology in telephones and other visual recording devices, usage of cell phones or other devices with recording capability are prohibited in locker rooms, bathrooms, or program areas. Cell phone usage is limited to the entrance area or the lobby. Videotaping or taking pictures is prohibited, and those exhibiting non-compliance with this policy will be asked to vacate the premises.
pool
For the safety of all members, lifeguards have complete authority over the pool area.
Shower before entering the pool area.
No food or beverages allowed on pool deck.
Appropriate swim attire must be worn for a family facility.
Shirts may be worn in the pool; however, they must be made from synthetic material.
Children who are not yet potty-trained must wear swim diapers.
Non-employee swim instructors are not permitted to teach lessons in the pool.
No shoes on the pool deck.
No inflatable devices in the pool.
Walking is enforced on the deck and in locker rooms at all times-no running!
Diving is prohibited. No flipping off the deck.
Ladders are only used to enter or exit the pool.
Inform the YMCA staff of anything that may be a safety issue and please respect the requests of the YMCA staff on safety related issues.
If the pool becomes contaminated with any bodily fluid, the lifeguards will close the pool.
Pool Age Requirements and Swim Band Policy:
Shower before entering the pool area.
No food or beverages allowed on pool deck.
Appropriate swim attire must be worn for a family facility.
Shirts may be worn in the pool; however, they must be made from synthetic material.
Children who are not yet potty-trained must wear swim diapers.
Non-employee swim instructors are not permitted to teach lessons in the pool.
No shoes on the pool deck.
No inflatable devices in the pool.
Walking is enforced on the deck and in locker rooms at all times-no running!
Diving is prohibited. No flipping off the deck.
Ladders are only used to enter or exit the pool.
Inform the YMCA staff of anything that may be a safety issue and please respect the requests of the YMCA staff on safety related issues.
If the pool becomes contaminated with any bodily fluid, the lifeguards will close the pool.
Pool Age Requirements and Swim Band Policy:
therapy and tutoring
All therapists (physical, social, and occupational) in addition to tutors or the like cannot perform their profession in the Y facility, or use the Y as a meeting place for any service similar to their profession. Individual situations are evaluated by director staff when a client is a member, a collaborative organization, or service group that has a member within.
training and coaching
There is no personal training or coaching in the YMCA facility; Coaching and training are only allowed when it is being performed by a YMCA program employee or within a Y program, not by non-program persons. These include, but are not limited to, physical training, sports training, or swim instructing.
weight equipment
We strongly recommend those 18+ to receive an orientation on all of our equipment, including the Octagon. Those 13-17 are REQUIRED to receive orientations on all the equipment. Non-Member Juniors are not allowed to utilize weight bearing equipment. It is important to note that misuse of any equipment in the facility can result in personal injury and breaking of the equipment.