CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hot temps, cool water and COVID-19 -- it’s not the start to summer many had hoped for, but the YMCA of Greater Charlotte is working around the clock to reopen some of their pools under the state’s Phase Two plan.
“It’s hard enough to open pools and train lifeguards without this challenge. Then you add this on, and preventing drownings and getting sick all at the same time. We’ve had our work cut out for us,” Ame Guy, YMCA aquatics director said.
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Starting Monday, June 8, five outdoor and two indoor pools will reopen to members of the Y, including the Harris, Morrison, Simmons, Brace and Keith locations. But things will look different.
“You’ll see the lounge chairs positioned in groups for families -- they are positioned anywhere from six to 10 feet apart,” Guy said.
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Because the facilities can only allow half as many guests, there is a chance some may be turned away. And, when you get in line, you’ll need to follow a few more steps before you’re allowed in.
“That’s our health screening process, so we’ll ask a couple questions and check temperatures,” Guy explained.
Under Phase Two, gyms aren’t allowed to reopen until late June, at least. However, the Dowd location in Uptown and the Keith Center in University City moved its fitness classes outside this week and it’s already surging in popularity.
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“We brought all of our equipment out, our free weights, our dumbbells, our group exercises,” Kevin Mills said, the executive director of the Keith Family YMCA. “We built our fitness center outside to serve the community as best as we can.”
The same rules apply to the fitness area as the pools: social distancing is required, masks are encouraged and the locker rooms are closed.
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Even as the state inches closer to normal, these changes will likely stay all in the name of safety.
“Before you can even come in, we make sure that you don’t have a temperature and that you haven’t been exposed to COVID-19,” Mills said.
Many locations resumed childcare services for non-essential workers this week. The YMCA is also planning to host children’s day and overnight camps beginning later this month.