Greater Valley YMCA to Reopen on Friday, June 26th

June 23, 2020 at 10:19 AM

UPDATED! Click here for the October 26th Update.

 

As we prepare to reopen our facilities on Friday, June 26th, please be assured that your safety - and the safety of all our members, program participants, staff and volunteers - is our number one priority. We’re following CDC guidelines ensuring our facilities meet the highest standards for hygiene and safety, and we have modified our policies and programs to facilitate safe physical/social distancing practices. We thank you for your help in keeping our facilities clean and safe for all.

We will be reopening our programs and services in three Phases, starting with Reopening Phase I.  Please check out this Welcome Back Video for further information:

 

 

Our Three-Phase Reopening Plan:

Making Reservations for Facility Usage and Classes:

During the first Phase of our reopening, we request all members make reservations for usage of all of our facility areas, including the Wellness Center, Pool, as well as for indoor and outdoor classes.  Until further notice, weekly class information will be featured on our Branch Facebook pages.  To reserve a spot for class or a time slot for usage of our Wellness Area or Pool, please call your Branch 24-hours in advance.  Classes and time slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We will begin taking facility usage reservations on Thursday, June 25th:

Facebook Page Links:                  Branch Phone Number:
Allentown Branch                          (610) 351-9622
Bethlehem Branch                        (610) 867-7588
Easton/Phillipsburg Branch           (610) 258-6158
Nazareth Branch                           (610) 759-3440
Slate Belt Branch                          (610) 881-4470
Suburban North Branch                (610) 264-5221

 

Virtual Class Information

We've launched a new private Facebook group for members.  The group features weekly online fitness classes taught by your favorite Greater Valley Y instructors, and will continue to be available through our reopening.  Click here to join the private group and learn more.

 

Programs and Services Unavailable During our Reopening, Phase II

Based on CDC guidelines and best practices, the below programs and services are not currently available at our Branch locations: 

• Coffee service
• Water Fountains
• Child Watch
• Free Gymnasium Usage
• Track Usage
• Locker Rooms
• Sauna/Steam Room 
• Towel Service
• Youth Classes/Parties
• Facility Rentals
• Swim Lessons

We hope to phase in more programs and services during Reopening Phase III.

 

CDC Screening Questions When Entering Our Facilities: 

1) Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?

2) Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat? 

3) Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?

4) Have you had a new loss of taste or smell?

5) Have you had vomitting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours? 

6) Have you been out of the State of Pennsylvania in the last 14 days? If so, where? 

7) Have you been in close contact with someone who has been out of the State in the past 14 days?  If so, where?

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Progression through the phases is subject to change and will be based off CDC guidelines and Best Practices through our PA State Alliance and YUSA

 

What will be open?

In the “Green Reopening Phase II” the Pool, Wellness Center and group exercise classes will be open on a reservation basis, first-come, first-serve. Please call your home branch to schedule your reservation 24 hours in advance.

 

What hours will the Y be open?

The Y will be open Monday through Friday from 6am-7pm and Saturdays from 8am-1pm.  These hours are in effect until further notice.

 

How will my membership dues be charged?

Normal billing will resume on July 1^st for your existing membership.  All members will be receiving a 50% discount to the July billing cycle for the shutdown that commenced March 16^th.

 

How will I access the Y?

There will be one point of access and one point of egress from all buildings.  Please make sure you are swiping in and swiping out at the Welcome Center.

 

Will I need to be “checked-in” to the Y?

Upon arriving to your Y, you will be asked to stay 6 feet apart from the entrance as each member and staff will enter the building individually.  You will immediately hand sanitize, be asked 5 CDC wellness questions, and have your temperature taken to ensure you are 100.4 degrees or less.  Assuming you answer no to all CDC questions and have an acceptable temperature, you will then enter the building, scan your membership card, and wash your hands in the closet bathroom.  On your first visit, you will complete a new mandatory membership waiver.

 

Are there special procedures to use the Y besides the check-in process?

In our Reopening Phase I, reservations will be required to use the facility.  Please contact your local branch to schedule your one-hour time slot 24 hours in advance.  This one-hour time slot includes any dressing/undressing you may do to prepare to use your selected areas.

 

Do I need to wear a mask?

All members and staff are required to wear a mask when on the property or in the building except when swimming in the Pool, taking a group exercise class or working out in the Wellness Center.

 

Will locker rooms be available to shower, change, etc.?

Locker rooms will not be available to shower or change.  Please come dressed to utilize your respective area of the building (Pool, group exercise, Wellness Center).

 

When will program classes resume at the Y?

We anticipate program classes resuming sometime in the Fall, but do not have a specific date currently.

 

Can I bring gym bags and other personal effects to the Y?

Please do not bring bags or other personal items other than your own personal drinking bottle of water as water fountains will be turned off, as well as towels for the pool, as towel service will not be available.

 

Will I be able to bring guests to the Y?

The Y will be utilized by existing members and those new members only during all three phases of our Reopening Plan.  Guests will not be allowed, and the AWAY program, Nationwide programs, and 7-day Trial Membership program have been suspended until further notice. 

 

Will there be capacity limits?

There is a 50% maximum capacity for each area in use at your Branch.  Please contact your home Branch to schedule your reservation 24 hours in advance.

 

Will I be able to “sit and chat” with my friends?

We recognize you miss your friends and we do too, but in the re-opening stages, we will not have common areas open, nor will we be providing coffee service.  We ask that you practice social distancing whenever on the property.

 

What happens if I was on Financial Aid?

You will pick up exactly where you left off on your commitment to your 6-month Financial Aid Membership.   For example, if you had 3 months left, we will be extending your Financial Aid for the three months that were missed during the shut-down.  However, Financial Aid will be limited based on funds available.

 

How will I know what to do or where to go?

Welcome Center staff will assist in directing you where to go upon entering the facility.  There are also clearly marked arrows and signage posted throughout the facility to assist you.

 

Will the Y be clean and safe?

With your assistance, the Y will be safer and cleaner than ever.  We ask members to clean all equipment prior to and after every use.  Staff will also be scheduled in each service area for extra cleaning during hours of operation as well as after shutdown.  In addition, there is a rolling shutdown at your Y where the service area will be closed for deep cleaning.  Check your local Branch for this schedule.  Staff also clean their respective workspaces every 30-60 minutes at a minimum.

 

How will I know if the Y is closed or an event is canceled?

We will be using our usual means of communication for cancelation, changes (WFMZ, Facebook, Website, Remind and RainedOut).