Spectator Policy
Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association has set forth the following policies for spectators within the TBGA lobby.
- Spectators are not permitted on the gymnasium floor or on the 2nd floor.
- Restrooms in the lobby are for spectators and recreational program participants.
- Restrooms inside the gymnasium are reserved for athletes and staff.
Refund Policy
- In case of low enrollment, Thunder Bay Gymnastics may combine or cancel classes
- Registration/Insurance Fee is valid July 1st to June 30th each year.
- Registration Fee is non-refundable, under all circumstances.
- Refunds will be issued up until the start of the 3rd class. Refunds requested after the third class will not be granted.
- Refunds must be requested using the TBGA Request for Refund Form
- A processing fee of $25.00 and the $43.00 Annual Registration/Insurance Fee will not be refunded.
- Refunds are issued in the form of a store credit or cheque and processed at the end of the month requested.
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- TBGA charges $7.00 for cheques returned as NSF.
- TBGA may use email to communicate event reminders, newsletters, or important class correspondence.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of either extreme cold weather conditions, extreme inclement weather conditions or a combination of both, Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association may elect to close operations for the day, and re-open when it is deemed safe to do so.
Closures will be based on one or more of the following: local bus systems are shut down, roadways leading to the gym have been closed, are inaccessible or have been deemed dangerous to drive on by the police, local schools/daycares/afterschool programs are closed, power or heat or water has been lost due to inclement weather.
In the event of a closure due to weather conditions, Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association will post the closure on the website and Social Media accounts will be updated with cancellation information. If possible, attempts will also be made to inform participants through email and/or phone.
We will only cancel classes if we feel the safety of our members and staff would be in jeopardy due to the weather conditions.
Unfortunately, there are no make up classes or credits for weather cancellations.
Closures will be based on one or more of the following: local bus systems are shut down, roadways leading to the gym have been closed, are inaccessible or have been deemed dangerous to drive on by the police, local schools/daycares/afterschool programs are closed, power or heat or water has been lost due to inclement weather.
In the event of a closure due to weather conditions, Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association will post the closure on the website and Social Media accounts will be updated with cancellation information. If possible, attempts will also be made to inform participants through email and/or phone.
We will only cancel classes if we feel the safety of our members and staff would be in jeopardy due to the weather conditions.
Unfortunately, there are no make up classes or credits for weather cancellations.
Accessibility Policy
Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association (TBGA) is committed to providing a respectful, welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all persons with disabilities in a way that is respectful of the dignity and independence of people with disabilities.
TBGA believes in integration and equal opportunity, and we are committed to meeting the needs of our customers with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility in our facility, and by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario's Accessibility Laws.
Communication
TBGA will communicate with our customers with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports.
Assistive Devices
TBGA will ensure that our coaching staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site, that we provide or that is provided that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
ASD Training
TBGA will ensure that our administrative and coaching staff is trained and familiar with assisting and working with customers with ASD.
Support Persons
Clients with a disability that require a support person will both be permitted full access to our facility and will not be prevented from having access to their support person at any time. All client confidentiality requirements and practices will also apply to support persons. Participants with a disability will be charged the appropriate program fee. Their support person is not required to pay any additional fees, but may be required to pay the Gymnastics Ontario insurance fee, if participating in more than 3 visits to our facility.
Service Animals
TBGA recognizes that some customers require the support of service animals to assist them in overcoming barriers, and that these animals are working animals. Clients that require the assistance of service animals will be permitted full access to our facility, unless otherwise excluded by law.
Testing for Programming
TBGA acknowledges that it runs programming that requires a minimum physical skillset to participate. TBGA testing typically occurs in group settings however, TBGA is willing to accommodate our testing process, whether it be through time of day, setting or providing supports that allow the athlete to demonstrate their ability to achieve the minimum physical skillset.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a temporary disruption to services or the facility for customers with disabilities, TBGA will notify customers/members promptly. A clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services if available.
Feedback
TBGA is committed to becoming a barrier free environment and meeting the requirements of all existing legislation relating to removing and preventing barriers to people with disabilities that may interfere with their ability to have full access to the programs and services provided by TBGA. TBGA will ensure that its process for receiving and responding to feedback are made available to any persons with disabilities. TBGA encourages any feedback regarding our facility's accessibility. TBGA will use this feedback to identify, repair, remove or improve any barriers that may prevent access to our facility or our programs.
TBGA believes in integration and equal opportunity, and we are committed to meeting the needs of our customers with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility in our facility, and by meeting our accessibility requirements under Ontario's Accessibility Laws.
Communication
TBGA will communicate with our customers with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. When asked, we will provide information about our organization and its services, including public safety information, in accessible formats or with communication supports.
Assistive Devices
TBGA will ensure that our coaching staff is trained and familiar with various assistive devices we have on site, that we provide or that is provided that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
ASD Training
TBGA will ensure that our administrative and coaching staff is trained and familiar with assisting and working with customers with ASD.
Support Persons
Clients with a disability that require a support person will both be permitted full access to our facility and will not be prevented from having access to their support person at any time. All client confidentiality requirements and practices will also apply to support persons. Participants with a disability will be charged the appropriate program fee. Their support person is not required to pay any additional fees, but may be required to pay the Gymnastics Ontario insurance fee, if participating in more than 3 visits to our facility.
Service Animals
TBGA recognizes that some customers require the support of service animals to assist them in overcoming barriers, and that these animals are working animals. Clients that require the assistance of service animals will be permitted full access to our facility, unless otherwise excluded by law.
Testing for Programming
TBGA acknowledges that it runs programming that requires a minimum physical skillset to participate. TBGA testing typically occurs in group settings however, TBGA is willing to accommodate our testing process, whether it be through time of day, setting or providing supports that allow the athlete to demonstrate their ability to achieve the minimum physical skillset.
Notice of Temporary Disruption
In the event of a temporary disruption to services or the facility for customers with disabilities, TBGA will notify customers/members promptly. A clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services if available.
Feedback
TBGA is committed to becoming a barrier free environment and meeting the requirements of all existing legislation relating to removing and preventing barriers to people with disabilities that may interfere with their ability to have full access to the programs and services provided by TBGA. TBGA will ensure that its process for receiving and responding to feedback are made available to any persons with disabilities. TBGA encourages any feedback regarding our facility's accessibility. TBGA will use this feedback to identify, repair, remove or improve any barriers that may prevent access to our facility or our programs.
Photography & Video Policy
Flash photography is extremely dangerous for athletes as it temporarily blinds them and poses a serious risk for injury. It is strictly prohibited in the facility at all times.
No photography or filming of children is permitted during classes on the gym floor or from the lobby. On the last day of recreational classes, parents will be permitted to photograph their own child only, while receiving their report card/ribbon at the end of class.
Parents are not permitted to publish any photographs on social media or the internet taken at the Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association unless they specifically contain your own child(ren).
On occasion Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association staff may take photographs of recreational athletes for the purpose of marketing, but will only do so with the expressed written consent of the athlete parent/guardian.
Non-parents (friends, relatives, caregivers) must obtain permission from the parent of the athlete prior to photographing them.
During Drop-in programming, No devices capable of photography or filming will be allowed on the gym floor. Should a participant wish to record a skill, they may request that a staff member record it on their behalf. Please see Exception rule below.
If it is noticed by or pointed out to our staff that individuals are taking photographs or videos of athletes, our policy is to request that the person stop taking photos and to request the photos to be removed from the camera or device. The safety of our participants is of utmost importance to us and if deemed necessary, we will report any unusual activity to the authorities. We would also ask that any member who suspects unusual activity, to report it to the office.
Exception Rule: Athletes/Parents can request staff to take a photograph of a new or updated skill on the family members device. The staff have the right to refuse the request if it is not possible to ensure that no other individuals are in the photo or video.
No photography or filming of children is permitted during classes on the gym floor or from the lobby. On the last day of recreational classes, parents will be permitted to photograph their own child only, while receiving their report card/ribbon at the end of class.
Parents are not permitted to publish any photographs on social media or the internet taken at the Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association unless they specifically contain your own child(ren).
On occasion Thunder Bay Gymnastics Association staff may take photographs of recreational athletes for the purpose of marketing, but will only do so with the expressed written consent of the athlete parent/guardian.
Non-parents (friends, relatives, caregivers) must obtain permission from the parent of the athlete prior to photographing them.
During Drop-in programming, No devices capable of photography or filming will be allowed on the gym floor. Should a participant wish to record a skill, they may request that a staff member record it on their behalf. Please see Exception rule below.
If it is noticed by or pointed out to our staff that individuals are taking photographs or videos of athletes, our policy is to request that the person stop taking photos and to request the photos to be removed from the camera or device. The safety of our participants is of utmost importance to us and if deemed necessary, we will report any unusual activity to the authorities. We would also ask that any member who suspects unusual activity, to report it to the office.
Exception Rule: Athletes/Parents can request staff to take a photograph of a new or updated skill on the family members device. The staff have the right to refuse the request if it is not possible to ensure that no other individuals are in the photo or video.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND ILLNESSES AT TBGA
This excerpt of the policy outlines the responsibilities of the parent(s)/guardian(s) for reporting communicable diseases, illnesses and infections.
3.0 Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Responsibilities
3.1 Parent(s)/guardian(s) shall:
3.1.1 Notify the Administrative staff by emailing TBGA at [email protected] or calling (807) 628-8474, if their
child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, illness or infection that might put others at risk;
3.1.2 Promote proper hand washing techniques with their child;
3.1.3 Contact the Thunder Bay Health District with any questions regarding communicable diseases, illnesses or infections.
4.0 Recommended Absence from Training
4.1 Parents are responsible for contacting Administrative Staff to determine the recommended timelines for absence from training based on the "Disease/illness/infection diagnosed by a physician timeline chart" found in the full policy.
3.0 Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Responsibilities
3.1 Parent(s)/guardian(s) shall:
3.1.1 Notify the Administrative staff by emailing TBGA at [email protected] or calling (807) 628-8474, if their
child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, illness or infection that might put others at risk;
3.1.2 Promote proper hand washing techniques with their child;
3.1.3 Contact the Thunder Bay Health District with any questions regarding communicable diseases, illnesses or infections.
4.0 Recommended Absence from Training
4.1 Parents are responsible for contacting Administrative Staff to determine the recommended timelines for absence from training based on the "Disease/illness/infection diagnosed by a physician timeline chart" found in the full policy.
Last Updated: August 1st, 2021