The Shadow
LOW MOOR — The Alleghany Highlands YMCA will reopen on Wednesday, June 10.
“As you are probably aware, there are several restrictions that all of us will have to abide by, and we want to update you,” said Alleghany Highlands YMCA Executive Director Jennifer Unroe.
“First of all, note that the pool area will remain closed for a little bit as we recently lost the pool heater and are in the process of getting it replaced (SIGH… the on-going saga with pools),” she added. “Even though it’s warm outside, we cannot maintain a high enough temperature to safely manage pool chemical levels. Once the pool reopens, the spa and sauna will remain closed as part of Phase II requirements.
Secondly, all of the floors were scheduled to be cleaned and waxed over the weekend. The gym floor is part of that process and the chemical odor will be too strong for the gymnasium to initially be opened.
“However, we’ll open the gym just as soon as we can,” Unroe said.
Now, on to restrictions and policies for reopening:
• Facility Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays.
“We will move back to regular hours as staff become available,” Unroe noted.
• Please do not come to the Y if you have a temperature, are feeling ill, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms.
• Members and staff will be required to have temperature checks using an infrared thermometer, complete a daily questionnaire before entering the building, and wear masks (according to the governor’s policy) into and throughout the building unless they are exercising.
Examples:
• John Doe wears his mask into the building and enters the weight room. He removes his mask while exercising and, upon leaving the weight room re-masks.
• Sarah enters the building wearing a mask, walks upstairs to the track, removes her mask while walking the track, and then re-masks upon leaving the track area.
• The YMCA is limited to 30 percent of room occupancy limits, and participants must remain 10 feet apart. Because of this policy, reservations will be required for weight room use, group exercise, the pool and track.
Members will be limited to one hour each, per day, in order to fairly accommodate as many of our members as possible. Please call the Y at 962-9622 to reserve your time.
“Unfortunately, we will be unable to accommodate guests, and all members must have accounts up to date,” Unroe said. “Please note that walk-ins may not be accommodated if classes and exercise areas are full.”
• The weight room will be limited to 10 members and some equipment will be blocked off to ensure the 10 foot physical distancing requirement.
Please Note: Several pieces of selectorized/guided exercise equipment are still out for refurbishing. While a staff member will be assigned to the weight room to ensure proper cleaning of all equipment, members are asked to be prudent about sanitizing equipment before and after each use.
• Showers will not be available in Phase II. Once the pool reopens, members will be asked to shower before they come to the Y to swim.
• Restrooms will be closed periodically for frequent cleaning, and YMCA staff will be sanitizing door handles, etc. often throughout the day.
• Towels, yoga mats, etc. will not be provided. Some exercise materials may not be available due to the inability to safely sanitize in between users.
Members are encouraged to bring their own basketballs. A limited number of basketballs will be available to check-out at the Member Services Desk.
• In Phase II, basketball and similar types of activities will be limited to individual hoop shoots due tosanitation issues.
“We will be unable to conduct any cash transactions during this time,” Unroe said. “Snacks will be limited to those available in vending machines.
“We anticipate reopening our Early Learning Centers in July and will communicate the date as soon as we know when the buildings will be available,” Unroe added.
GROUP EXERCISE OPTIONS
Mondays
• 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., Strength Train Together (DVD);
• 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Yoga with Susan Hutchison;
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Chair Yoga with Susan Hutchison;
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Zumba with Darlene Thomas or Nancy Turkewitz;
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Outdoor Boot Camp with Laura Farrar;
• 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Yoga with Trish Dobbs.
Tuesdays
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Toning with Jeannie Simpson
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tai Chi with Charlotte Williamson;
• 11:00 a.m., Reverse the Hearse with Tea Simmons (Facebook Live);
• 11:30 a.m. Deep Breathing with Tea (Facebook Live);
• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Strength Train Together with Nancy Turkewitz.
Wednesdays
• 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., Strength Train Together (DVD);
• 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Yoga with Susan Hutchison;
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Chair Yoga with Susan Hutchison;
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Zumba with Nancy Turkewitz
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Outdoor Boot Camp with Laura Farrar;
• 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Yoga with Trish Dobbs.
Thursdays
• 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Toning with Jeannie Simpson;
• 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tai Chi with Charlotte Williamson;
• 11:00 a.m. Reverse the Hearse with Tea Simmons (Facebook Live);
• 11:30 a.m. Deep Breathing with Tea (Facebook Live);
• 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Strength Train Together with Nancy Turkewitz.
Fridays
• 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., Strength Train Together (DVD);
• 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Yoga with Susan Hutchison;
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Chair Yoga with Susan Hutchison.
Saturdays
• 9:30 a.m., Fitness Blend with various instructors
Occupancy limits require us to limit classes to 9 participants plus the instructor.
Call the YMCA at 962-9622 to register for classes.
For additional online exercise options, please check the YMCA website: https://alleghanyhighlandsymca.org/preventing-the-spread-of-covid-19/
Click on the Virtual Membership Tab for class offerings.
