1. How We Make Decisions
Our top priority is the safety of our members and staff. Decisions to delay, cancel classes, or close facilities are based on:
Road conditions and local travel advisories.
The ability of our facilities team to clear parking lots and sidewalks.
Safe staffing levels (can our team get to the Y safely?).
2. What to Expect Based on the Forecast
❄️ Winter Weather Advisory: If travel is difficult (icy conditions or accumulating snow), individual classes or programs may be canceled even if the facility remains open.
🚨 Winter Storm Warning: Severe conditions usually result in a full facility closure.
3. Where to Find Your Specific Update
Because weather impacts vary by location and time, we communicate updates in several ways:
For Building Closures & Major Changes
(i.e. Full facility closings, delayed openings, or cancellation of ALL evening programs).
Website: Look for the Red Alert Bar at the top of the page.
Email: Email notifications will be sent to the email address on your Y account. Click here to sign in and add/update your email.
Social Media: Check your local YMCA's Facebook page.
Mobile App: Updates and group exercise class changes will be communicated here. Ensure your push notifications are turned on.
Text Alerts: Text GWRYMCA to 5439 to opt-in now.
For Individual Classes & Programs
(i.e. a group exercise class is cancelled, swim lessons are cancelled, etc.)
📲 The Mobile App is the Source of Truth: If a specific class is canceled, it will be removed from the schedule in the Gateway Region YMCA App.
Check Your Notifications: If you are registered for a class, we will attempt to contact you via the App. Please ensure your push notifications are turned on.
YMCA Facebook Pages: Check your specific location's Facebook page for minor, localized updates.
Download the App for iOS Download the App for Android
Youth Sports (Practices & Games) Inclement Weather Policies
How We Communicate Cancellations
Our Youth Sports Directors monitor conditions closely and make the decision to cancel sports practices/games. If a practice or game must be canceled:
- Primary Alert: We use QuickScores to send text and email alerts directly to coaches and parents.
- Timing: We aim to make decisions as early as possible to respect your travel time.
Rescheduling & Make-Ups
We make every effort to reschedule canceled games. However, due to field availability and season time constraints, make-up games are not guaranteed.
Our "Game Guarantee" & Credit Policy
We value your investment in youth sports. While weather is unpredictable, we guarantee a minimum number of games per session. If cancellations prevent us from meeting this minimum, we will issue a pro-rated system credit at the end of the session.
7-Game Sessions: We guarantee at least 6 games.
6-Game Sessions: We guarantee at least 5 games.
(If the guaranteed number of games is met, no credit will be issued for weather-related cancellations.)
Y Club Before & After School Care Closure & Weather Policies
Please review our inclement weather protocols Before and After School care:
School Closed: If schools close before our Before Care program starts, Y Club will not operate.
Late Start: If schools announce a Late Start, Before-school care is cancelled.
Early Dismissal: If schools close early, Afternoon Y Club will not operate.
Mid-Program Closure: In the rare event schools close during Morning Y Club, you will be notified to pick up your child immediately.
Worsening Conditions: If weather deteriorates during Afternoon Y Club, we may request early pickup to ensure everyone's safety.
Policy Note: Fees are not prorated for weather-related closures.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Centers Closure & Weather Policies
To ensure the safety of our families and staff, and to provide clear, predictable consistency for parents, our ECE Centers strictly follow the closure decisions of their corresponding school districts. If the school district listed next to your center (below) announces a full closure due to weather, your ECE Center will also be closed.
| If your child attends: | We follow the status of: |
| Minier ECEC | 🏫 Brentwood School District |
| Edward Jones ECEC | 🏫 Parkway School District |
| Bayer ECEC | 🏫 St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) |
| Tri-City ECEC | 🏫 Granite City School District |
Stuck at Home? Don't Miss A Workout!
Snowy roads shouldn't mean skipped sets. As a valued Y member, you have free access to Les Mills On-Demand!