Trevor Secord, executive director of the Union County YMCA, stands with his arms apart to show that workout equipment has been spaced six feet apart. The YMCA is planning to reopen at 6 a.m. Monday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
It has been a long two month-plus wait for those who depend on the Union County Family YMCA for their fitness and exercise needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has turned the entire globe topsy-turvy, shuttered fitness centers and gymnasiums throughout the state of Ohio in March.
Governor Mike DeWine stated last week those types of facilities would be permitted to reopen for business on Tuesday of this week.
YMCA officials, however, have taken a little extra time to prepare for their return.
The business will welcome back patrons on Monday (June 1).
Members, however, will notice things won’t be quite the same… at least not in the beginning.
For one thing, the facility will assume new hours of operation.
Those time lines will be 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday.
Members will not be permitted to bring a guest at the present time.
All YMCA staff members will wear masks throughout the day and also have gloves available for use.
Members will not be required to wear masks, but are requested to do so while in the commons (front lobby) area.
“We know it would be difficult, health-wise, for people to wear masks while going through their workouts and of course swimming,” said Trevor Secord, the YMCA’s chief executive officer.
Patrons will notice different measures of operation when they enter the building.
They will be asked whether they have had a fever in the past 48 hours. If they respond affirmatively, their temperature will be taken.
If a member has a high fever, they will not be permitted to remain in the facility.
Secord said staff members have gone to great lengths to insure social distancing guidelines that are mandated by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local and state health officials.
“The Union County Health Department has done a great job of keeping us in the loop as far as safety guidelines,” he said.
Those guidelines have included “moving some furniture” within the fitness center.
“We’ve moved all of our workout stations, both cardio and weight training, six feet apart,” said Secord. “We’ve also placed some equipment out in the mezzanine overlooking the gymnasium.”
The fitness center and the lap swimming pool will reopen on Monday during the initial phase of operation.
The pool will be open for lap swim only. There will be no leisure swim or water exercise classes during the initial part of reopening.
The warm water therapy pool and the gymnasium will remain closed for the time being.
“We’re keeping the smaller pool closed right now because of social distancing,” said Secord. “There will also be no basketball or pickleball in the gym during the first phase.”
The facility’s racquetball courts will be available to members.
“Racquetball usually attracts only a handful of people at a time and it’s a non-contact activity,” said Secord.
Youth activities will not return at this time.
“Those activities will be evaluated throughout the month of June to determine when they may start again,” said Secord.
Locker rooms may be used, as well as shower facilities. Those areas will be thoroughly cleaned by staff members on regular intervals.
Sauna rooms, however, will be off-limits for the time being.
“If members can come directly in, conduct their workouts or swims and then leave, that will be great,” said Secord. “However, showers will be available for those who need to use them.”
There will be no towel service for those wishing to take a shower or swim during Phase I. Members must bring their own towel for those purposes.
Social distancing practices and the limited phase of reopening will be accompanied by strict cleaning and sanitization.
“We are asking all members to use the towels we provide in the fitness room to wipe down each station after usage,” said Secord. “We will also have a staff member assigned to the fitness center to conduct regular cleaning.”
Water fountains have been covered and may not be used.
“We encourage everyone to bring a full water bottle with them for their workouts,” said Secord. “We want everyone to stay hydrated.”
Secord said there will be no time limits as to how long a member can stay in the fitness room or the lap pool.
However, he urged patrons to use common sense.
“The best thing for members to do will be come in, conduct their workouts or swims, and then leave as soon as possible,” said Secord.
YMCA officials have asked members to consider their payments for the months the facility was not open as a donation to the facility.
Secord said many have stated they will do so.
“We’ve reached out to members who have said they can’t do that,” he said. “We’ve made refunds to some people.
“Others have put their memberships on hold or have canceled them.”
The YMCA usually operates within a 30-day guideline for membership cancelations.
That restriction has been lifted, according to Secord.
The Y director said the facility is doing well with its finances and credits the facility’s board of directors and staff members for helping make the shutdown as least painful as possible.
“Our board has been great to work with and our staff members have been working hard to keep things going during the shutdown,” said Secord.
He added the Y’s membership has also been understanding and supportive.
“Union County is a great community,” he said.
All things considered, Secord feels optimistic about the initial reopening and additional phases that will come down the road.
“I think we’ve weathered the storm fairly well,” he said.
“I know there are a lot of people who are really anxious to open and we’re excited to have people return,” said Secord. “However, we want to do this slowly and as carefully and responsibly as we can.”
A sign taped to a mirror in the YMCA weight room reminds patrons to remaining six feet apart while working out. YMCA staff has posted reminders around the facility to remain apart in hopes of preventing any spread of the coronavirus. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)