Gym and Fitness Center

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the SKC Athletic Department and the SKC Fitness Center to promote health and wellness while encouraging members to engage in safe conduct while participating in physical fitness services activities and events and while utilizing recreational facilities. Accordingly, in addition to encouraging members to use good judgment, the SKC Athletic Department has adopted this policy and authorized the SKC Fitness Center to approve rules designed to encourage safe behavior on the part of current members of the SKC Fitness Center.

Application of Policy

This policy applies to all fitness center members including enrolled students, SKC alumni, community members, SKC employees, and college retirees who utilize the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center (JMHFC) facility. For purposes of this policy, an activity or event is organized and sponsored by the Athletic Department when it has been planned, funded and properly approved by the appropriate SKC Administration.

General Procedures and Responsibilities

Any personal training performed in the Fitness Center must only be instructed by an approved Certified Personal Trainer. Any paid personal training performed within the facility by someone other than an SKC employee is strictly prohibited. Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to utilize fitness equipment, group exercise classes, or observe recreational activities within the Fitness Center under any circumstances, unless authorized by appropriate SKC Administration, Athletic Department head and Fitness Center Manager. Smoking, use of tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages are not allowed in any Fitness Center or JMHFC gym or Sherri McDonald hospitality room (SMHR). Food or drinks, except water bottles, are not allowed in SKC Fitness Center. Proper footwear is required. No animals other than those assisting the disabled are allowed in the SKC Fitness Center or JMHFC Gym, or SMHR. 

Facility Usage

All currently enrolled students, currently employed or retired faculty and staff, are eligible to use the facilities for Free during operating hours. Students, faculty/ staff, retirees, and alumni must purchase a membership. Memberships can be purchased at the Big Knife business office. All student and faculty/staff users must present a current SKC ID to the Fitness Center staff to gain access to any recreational facility. Alumni, retirees, and community members who purchase a membership card must present a current membership card to gain access. Members and guests are required to follow all posted rules. Guests of a member may use the recreational facilities by obtaining a guest pass. All guests must be sponsored by a member. The member must present his/her SKC ID or purchased membership card to obtain the guest pass. The guest pass is valid only for three (3) visits. Guests may only obtain a three (3) visit pass once every 6 months. If the guest wishes to continue utilizing the facility after their three (3) free visits are exhausted, they must pay a $5 day use guest fee or sign up as a member. The sponsor of the guest is responsible for the guest while using the facilities. Members may sponsor up to two (2) guests per day. 

Weight Room

Use of the weight room is limited to those users over age 17. No one under the age of 17 is permitted. Athletic attire must be worn at all times. Athletic shoes that cover and protect your feet must be worn. No sandals. Keep walkways clear. Bags should be kept in designated locker areas or out of the way of other members. Collars are mandatory in the free weight area at all times. Spotters are recommended. Re-rack weights and replace equipment when finished. Please do not drop weights or dumbbells. Food, drinks, and tobacco products are not allowed. Water bottles are allowed. Thirty minute time limit on all cardio machines is strictly enforced when people are waiting. Please do not touch the audio or video equipment. Ask the fitness center staff for assistance. All equipment must remain inside the facility. In case of an emergency please contact the Fitness Center staff. Only approved personal trainers employed by the Fitness Center can provide personal training in the Fitness Center.

Equipment/Basketball Checkout

Recreational equipment is available for checkout with a valid SKC ID or current membership card from the Fitness Center front desk. A replacement fee will be assessed for any lost or damaged equipment. Equipment available for checkout includes: Basketballs, disc golf set, boxing gloves, 

HPED Students

Free classes are available to all Fitness Center members. Participants must sign in at the Fitness Center front desk. Only group exercise class participants are allowed in the Group Exercise area during class. Only approved group exercise instructors can teach group classes in the Fitness Center. 

Basketball/Volleyball Policies

Courts are available for use by Fitness Center members. All users must have a SKC Student/Staff ID badge or a Fitness Center membership card. Courts will remain locked until in use by Fitness Center members. Basketball/volleyball equipment is available for checkout with a valid SKC Student/Staff or Fitness Center membership card. No activities other than basketball, or volleyball are allowed on the court. Athletic shoes are required. Smoking, use of tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Food or drinks are not allowed on the court. Water bottles are allowed. Glass containers are not allowed on the court. Animals other than those assisting the disabled are not allowed on the court. Users are responsible for observing and following these policies. Those participants not following these policies may be asked to leave the facility by the staff on duty. In case of inclement weather, play may be stopped and the court may be closed. In case of an accident, contact the Fitness Center staff. In case of emergency, contact Tribal Police by calling 406-675-4700, or dial 911.

Lost & Found / Valuables

SKC Fitness Center will not be responsible for articles lost, stolen or damaged in, on or about the center. You are advised to leave all valuables at home or locked in your car before entering the center or locked in one of the lockers in the designated locker area. Lost & Found items will be kept for two weeks and then disposed of or donated to charity. All lost items must be identified in person. No confirmation of found items will be given over the phone.

Special Events

Announced special events will have precedence for facility usage. Please refer to our email blasts and monthly calendars for a listing of special events and the areas of the facility they will occupy. Management reserves the right to close the facility at any time but for not more than 2 weeks for necessary repair and maintenance.

Waiver of Liability

Any member using the facilities and equipment does so at his/her own risk. Management shall not be liable for any damages arising from personal injury or damages sustained by members in, on or about the premises of the fitness center. Member assumes full responsibility for any injuries or damages and does hereby and forever release and discharge the center, owners, employees and agents from any and all claims, demands, rights or cause of action, present, or future, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from or arising out of the member's use or intended use of the facilities and equipment hereof.

Participation in SKC Fitness Center facilities and programming is a privilege. All members and guests who participate in SKC Fitness Center programming or use of recreational facilities are expected to:  

• Treat the fitness center staff and facilities with respect and respond appropriately to all reasonable staff requests. 
•  Act with character and courtesy while respecting the rights, welfare and dignity of all others in the Fitness Center.  
• Abide by all relevant policies of the Salish Kootenai College, the general facility rules of the SKC Fitness Center and all relevant state and federal laws. 
•  Act in a safe, responsible manner in regards to themselves and others in the SKC Fitness Center. 

The SKC Athletic/Fitness Center department maintains the authority to revoke a member’s privileges temporarily or permanently for violating these standards of conduct or Fitness Center facility rules or for violating any SKC policy or state or federal law. Members may also be subject to College disciplinary action. No refunds will be authorized upon loss of membership for violation of the Standards of Conduct or for any other violation of SKC Fitness Center policy. 

Members may be subject to temporary or permanent loss of membership privileges for the following misconduct: 

1. Physical or verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, hazing, coercion and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.
2. Unauthorized use or sharing of fitness center identification cards, including forgery or alteration of a membership card or granting unauthorized use or misuse of any college document, record, key, electronic device, or identification.
3. Unauthorized Entry including entry prior to payment of Fitness Center membership dues. 
4. Disorderly or lewd conduct including disorder associated with alcohol or controlled substances. 
5. Recording images either by photograph, video or digitally without knowledge of the individual being recorded and without prior approval from the Fitness Center and Wellness Assistant Manager. 
6. Unauthorized Commercial Activity or use of the facility for personal or monetary gain, including posting, advertising, instructing by private sessions, or soliciting individuals in the Fitness Center for personal services, businesses, or agencies. 
7. Use of alcoholic beverages. Members demonstrating signs of intoxication will be denied access to the Fitness Center or asked to leave immediately. 
8. Failure to abide by a reasonable request of Fitness Center staff. 

Individuals engaged in the following conduct will immediately be reported to Tribal Police and will be subject to permanent loss of membership privileges. Additional sanctions from SKC may also apply. 

1. Vandalism: Damage to or destruction of any property of the college or of others while on college premises. 
2. Assault: Rape, sexual assault, or sexual harassment. 
3. Theft: Removal of or conversion of college property or property of others while on college premises. 
4. Possession of firearms, explosive device, or other deadly weapon when on University premises. 
5. Possession of drugs or other controlled substances prohibited by state and federal law