Patrons of the Union County Family YMCA are going to have to wait a little bit longer before they are permitted to use the facility that is located on Charles Lane.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced that fitness centers and gymnasiums would be permitted to reopen on Tuesday, May 26.
The governor set guidelines for those re-openings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local YMCA executive director Trevor Secord announced Wednesday the facility will take a few more days to open its doors.
“We will be reopening on Monday, June 1,” said Secord. “We could have been ready to reopen on May 26.
“However, we didn’t want to rush anything,” he said. “We want to make sure of all the guidelines in order to be certain we are providing a safe environment for everyone.
“We just want to be very responsible.
“We want to open in a manner that makes all who use our facility feel safe, welcome and thought of as we move into new ways of experiencing our everyday lives,” he said. “Not everything will look the same when we re-open.”
Secord said YMCA officials have adjusted building hours to start to learn what is needed as an operation to clean, maintain and provide safe spaces each day.
New hours 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.
“We will have procedures to screen members before entering the building,” he said. “Our staff will be wearing masks and gloves and not all parts of the building will be available during a phased approach to re-opening.”
Masks will also be highly recommended for all members, who will only be able to enter the building through the front entrance.
Upon entering the building, patrons may have their temperature taken by a staff member, if the patron has had a fever during the previous 48 hours.
Members will also be encouraged to use hand-sanitizer throughout the building.
The lap swimming pool and the fitness center will be available with limited locker room use during the initial phase of re-opening.
There will be no group exercise classes, kidzone, open gym, basketball, pickleball or the use of the warm water pool during the early stages of the re-opening.
Saunas and personal-training classes will also be unavailable during that time.
All members ages 13 and under must always be accompanied by an adult.
No one will be permitted to use any water fountain throughout the building.
“There are many other items that will also be different, but we want everyone to know we are working with all our local health officials, the governor’s office and other local Y’s to meet all required guidelines and orders to open safely and responsibly,” said Secord.
Phase II will entail working towards reopening the gymnasium, kidzone and group exercise classes. No date has been established for that phase.
“Lastly, we will work towards reopening our youth, teen, adult and family programming in a way that keeps everyone safe, but still provides quality opportunities,” said Secord.
“It’s more important than ever to live our YMCA cause of strengthening the foundation of community,” he said. “While we can’t serve everyone in person the way we have in the past right away, there are free group exercise workouts available on our YouTube channel to continue members’ group exercise journey until we reunite.
“We know you still have a lot of questions,” said Secord. “We still do, too. All of us at the Y are grateful for the outpouring of support many of you have expressed.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to secure the future of the YMCA and all its services as these uncertain times continue. We know it is the right decision under these extraordinary circumstances because the health and well-being of our members and our community always comes first.”