Like many other facilities on campus, U of T’s gyms closed in March 2020. Since then, the Athletic Centre’s steam rooms have not reopened like the other gym facilities on campus. 

The Athletic Centre was built in 1979, and the steam rooms were added during a $1.5 million renovation in 1998, which also redistributed locker rooms evenly, ending men’s majority use of the facility.

A university spokesperson wrote to The Varsity that, “The steam rooms were permanently closed in 2022 after a review concluded they no longer aligned with the university’s long-term goals for sports and recreation facilities. The closing was primarily due to the significant operating costs.”

“In addition, steam rooms were damaging the building and required significant capital investment. The university’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint and the Faculty’s commitment to support sustainable programs and services also contributed to this decision,” they concluded.

Towel service was also paused during the pandemic and has not returned. Between June 7, 2023 and September 29, 2023, the Lockers and Other Services webpage was updated from towel service no longer being offered “at this time,” to no longer offering towel service “for environmental and operational reasons.” 

Steam room safety rules 

The Athletic Centre briefly reopened in the 2020 fall semester with limited services. Under provincial regulations, all “locker rooms, change rooms, showers and club house/lounge areas” were closed unless required for equipment storage, washrooms, or first aid. 

Starting July 26, 2021, gyms began reopening for limited services and programming. Locker rooms reopened on August 2, 2021, though program participants were “encouraged not to linger,” and showers were restricted to those registered for the pool. 

U of T’s COVID-19 Safety Plan for Athletic Facilities was amended on October 1, 2021 to open locker rooms again entirely, now just with disinfection as required. 

On January 5, 2022, the Athletic Centre closed due to Ontario COVID-19 regulations. It reopened at 50 per cent capacity on January 31 and fully reopened on February 21, 2022. Showers were available to “registered Sport & Rec participants.”

Under provincial regulations, steam rooms remained closed under Stages One, Two, and Three of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. On March 1, 2022, the City of Toronto officially entered the fourth and final stage — the Roadmap Exit — allowing steam rooms across the city to reopen to the public. 

While the rest of Torontonians were getting steamy, U of T students were still left in the cold. 

Between August 14, 2022 and September 1, 2022, U of T’s Athletic Centre’s website description was edited to remove any mention of steam rooms: “The Athletic Centre is home to seven gymnasia, three pools, a strength and conditioning centre, indoor track, field house, dance studio, cardio machines, tennis and squash courts, steam rooms and more. Please note that the Athletic Centre is open with limited services and all spaces may not be available for use.” 

It now reads, “tennis and squash courts, and more.”

From January 27, 2023, to October 3, 2023, the Lockers and Other Services webpage noted that, “The steam room will be closed indefinitely.” This message was removed by December 14, 2023, and has not returned. 

As The Varsity reached out to the university for comment, the change room webpage stated on February 1 that, “Steam rooms are available in each of the men’s and women’s change rooms.” The reference has since been removed.