Policies

General policies

Membership

A membership is required for use of the Athletics and Recreation facilities. For membership information please visit the CARSA Membership Services counter or call 250-472-4000.

Most UVic students have an Athletics & Recreation fee included as part of their tuition payment. These students have access to a Base Membership with the Base Benefits (see Membership page for details). At a minimum, base membership is required for access to included facilities. Your validated UVic ONECard is your membership. If the above fees were not included as part of your tuition or you want additional opportunities for recreation, including access to CARSA, you can purchase CARSA memberships in person at Membership Services.

Valid identification

Vikes Athletics and Recreation exists to provide services to students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members. All participants must provide a valid membership ONE card to use the facilities. On the third occasion a valid membership card is forgotten or not presented, a $3.00 fee will be charged to verify your membership. Members will be required to provide their name and/or membership number. Membership cards are not transferable and misuse of a membership card to gain facility access is considered fraud. Misused identification cards will be confiscated.

Cancellation and no-show

You must cancel your reservation at minimum two hours prior to your reserved booking. If you do not cancel within this timeframe you will receive an email warning. Upon your third warning your CARSA Membership will be suspended for two days from online and in person reservations. During this period all existing reservations that are effected by your suspension will be cancelled from your registration profile. Any further no shows will result in a further two day suspension.

Private lessons and personal training

Sessions are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. Twenty-four hour notice is required when canceling a session. Failure to give 24-hour notice will result in being charged for the missed session.

Refund policy

There are no refunds for any memberships, courses or programs unless they are canceled by Vikes Athletics and Recreation. Consideration will be given to those registrants providing signed doctor's certificates or academic certificates indicating timetable changes. A $10 administration fee will be charged for all approved refunds. All refund requests must be received within 30 days of date of purchase.

A $25 fee will be charged for NSF cheques. Credits on account are valid for 1 year from date of application.

For questions or concerns please contact the CARSA Membership Services counter or call 250-472-4000.

Please note there is a separate policy for Intramural refund requests.

Community use and guest passes

Programs, classes, fitness weight centre and racquet sport courts in CARSA are not just for the students, staff and faculty of the University of Victoria. Community members are encouraged to purchase memberships to have access to the variety of options that CARSA has to offer. A drop-in pass may also be purchased from the front desk at CARSA or the McKinnon Building as well as long-term membership access to fitness classes or the CARSA Fitness Weight Centre. Visitors must be 14 years of age or older to purchase a guest pass. Non-members under 14 may purchase a day pass but must be accompanied and supervised by an adult member (18 years of age or older) to use the facility.

Locker service policy

For member convenience, lockers are available for rent annually by term dates, 12-month term, 8-month term, 4-month term, or by purchase of daily tokens. Rented lockers expire at closing at 12PM on the last day of the rental term (either December 31, April 30, or August 31). Prior to expiry please remove your contents or renew your locker at the CARSA Membership Services counter or online. All expired lockers will be emptied and secured by Campus Security and held at location for minimum of 30 days. Vikes Athletics and Recreation is not responsible for any items left in lockers.

Towel service policy

Towel rental services are available at both CARSA and the McKinnon Building for one or two terms or a year. Members with towel service privileges will need to swipe their card to show they have towel service. The policy is one towel out and one towel in. A towel may be kept for one day and be must returned by end of day. Unreturned towels will suspend further towel service and towel replacement fees will be applied.

Age policy

This applies to the CARSA Fitness Weight Centre

For safety reasons children under the age of 14 are not permitted in the CARSA Fitness Weight Centre. Children 14 and 15 years are permitted to use the CARSA Fitness Weight Centre after completing a FWC Orientation course that they can sign up for at the CARSA Membership Services counter.

Workout attire

In an effort to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on equipment and machines, all participants are asked to wear clean, athletic clothing while working out or participating in activities. Athletic shoes with non-marking soles are required in all activity areas. Open toed shoes, sandals, and shoes with metal buckles are not allowed. Shoes with metal cleats may not be worn in the field house, on any UVic playing fields, or in any of the CARSA studios or courts. Shirts or appropriate tank tops must be worn in all activity areas. For safety reasons hats and jewelry should not be worn during any activity. Participants not wearing clothing properly or clothing found offensive by others will be required to adjust as needed. Review the Fitness Weight Centre Dress Code Policy.

Food, beverage and tobacco

Food is only allowed in the designated entrance area of CARSA. Beverages in plastic containers with resealable caps are permitted in change rooms and activity areas. No glass or metal containers are permitted in the centre. All facilities operated by Vikes Athletics and Recreation are alcohol and tobacco free. Smoking material and smokeless tobacco are not permitted in any facility. Individuals who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or who are creating harmful situations will be asked to leave. Campus Security will be called to assist with individuals who do not cooperate.

Photography and video

Photography and video recording of any kind (including by phone) are not permitted anywhere in the CARSA and McKinnon facilities.

Damaged and lost equipment

Participants are able to check out various pieces of recreational equipment at both facilities with valid membership identification. Participants are responsible for any equipment.

All equipment rentals must be returned to the equipment desk by end of day. Failure to return equipment will result in a suspension of membership access until equipment is either returned or associated fees are paid.

Bicycles and Skateboards

Bicycles are not allowed in the Athletics and Recreation facilities. Skateboards cannot be ridden inside the facility, but can be brought inside the facility if it is secured in a locker.

Assumption of risk

Participation in recreational and fitness activities is completely voluntary whether participating in or spectating at any event or activity. Each individual assumes the risk for any harm or injury sustained. Neither the University of Victoria nor Vikes Active Living can assume any responsibilities for injuries incurred through participation in recreational facilities or activities. It is strongly advised that participants use caution and be aware of potential health risks associated with exercise. Should an accident, injury, or related incident occur, please contact the recreation centre staff immediately.

Accident / injury policy

Keeping participants safe is the first priority for Vikes Active Living staff. In the event of an emergency, participants are required to report all accidents, incidents or injuries to the nearest staff member so proper care can be provided. If an ambulance is necessary, the staff will follow emergency procedures. Employees may not transport an injured participant. In any injury situation, the injured person (if possible) and any witnesses will be asked questions for an incident report.