GNAG has a whole new look – safer and better than ever!

Mary Tsai
GNAG Executive Director

The question I am asked most frequently is: “How is GNAG doing?” The answer: It’s getting better. After introducing online classes in late March and running seven weeks of summer day camps, we are now ready to offer childcare and a variety of in-person classes for all ages and interests. GNAG’s board of directors and staff continue to focus on community engagement and innovative programing that is inclusive and safe. We follow Ontario and Ottawa Public Health reopening guidelines and are confident Glebe Community Centre is a safe place for our patrons.

As of September 9, GNAG is offering in-person fitness and wellness classes in the GCC’s beautiful main hall. This allows plenty of space for participants to work out comfortably and safely.

On September 21, we will launch our before- and after-school childcare as well as in-person classes. GNAG’s fall program guide will be online shortly, and our programs promise to be fully interactive and safe, with two-metre social distancing. Registration opens September 14.

Many of your favourite instructors will be returning, and that familiar feeling of GNAG as a home away from home will soon be back. The health and safety of our staff and clients is our top priority, so protocols will be in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Here are some things to expect:

  1. Staff and participants will be required to complete a daily health screening before arriving to class.
  2. Anyone feeling unwell is asked to stay home.
  3. There will be specific entrance/exits and staggered programming start and finish times to help reduce crowding.
  4. Each class will have a designated area for participants to hang coats and bags.
  5. Class sizes are reduced to allow for 2m social distancing.
  6. Hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom. Participants must sanitize before entering.
  7. Social distancing markers and directional arrows will be all round the facility to help prevent crowding.
  8. Mask-wearing protocols will be implemented.
  9. Regular sanitizing of high touch points will be conducted by staff and instructors.
  10. Adult participants will be able to sanitize their own equipment before use, as well as bathrooms touch points.
  11. Transition time will be quick between classes. This is to allow for enough time to sanitize and reset the room for the next class.
  12. The GCC doors will be locked during operational hours. Only program participants, rental groups and staff are permitted into the facility.
  13. All transactions and enquiries are to be done online or via telephone.
  14. GNAG is offering two short in-person program sessions as a precaution in the event of a shut down.

As always, this situation continues to evolve. Please be assured our team will monitor the provincial and OPH requirements for any changes and GNAG will adjust its protocols accordingly.

Our excellent online class options will continue. Please check out the fall online guide for a full listing.

GNAG and Amica The Glebe
team up again!
What is Amica The Glebe? Amica Senior Lifestyles is a Canadian company that operates 31 residences in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. Their new Glebe location is expected to be open next fall.

I was recently approached by Amica’s site-development ambassador Alison Keller about collaborating on ways to give back to the community.

Their chef, Ulrich Ludwig, was appointed director of culinary at Amica Unionville in 2010 after an award-winning career creating memorable dining experiences in fine hotels, resorts, restaurants and clubs around the world. You may remember him at Taste in the Glebe 2020 when he served his famous Beef Wellington.

On October 3, GNAG and Amica The Glebe will be co-hosting a fun and unique fundraising cooking webinar with Chef Ulrich. It is a Thanksgiving-inspired theme fundraiser with all net proceeds going to the Ottawa Food Bank. We are very excited to cook virtually with the community while giving back to those in critical need.

Up your cooking skills with Chef Ulrich as he teaches you how to make three beautiful dishes for your Thanksgiving dinner – cranberry-ginger relish, gourmet turkey stuffing and luxe pumpkin pie. He will also offer helpful tips on how to roast a perfect turkey.

You can cook along from the safe comfort of your own kitchen or watch the presentation and prepare the dishes later. Recipes will be included in the ingredients boxes and you will be given a link after the webinar to the video recording. Cost is $65. Online registration begins September 14 at 7 p.m. Go to GNAG.ca and follow the prompts.

Don’t live in the neighbourhood but still want to participate? No problem! $35 gives you access to the webinar. All registrants will receive an email on September 30 with instructions and link to the webinar.

You don’t want to miss this fabulous event!

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