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essage to members April 28, 2020

Message to members April 27, 2020

Message to members April 20, 2020

For our valued members: Live Group Exercise with our YMCA Instructors:

To access, you will need to request access to the YMCA’s new private Facebook group ( only current members and members on hold will be allowed to join). Click here to join our page. We will do our best to keep with the request to join the group, and hope that they can be
processed within 24 hours of your request.

Private page is called Marion Family YMCA Fitness 

June 1- June 6 Virtual only  – The week of June 8, more virtual and live classes ( by reservation)

Pump – This is a total body, heart pumping, strength, cardio workout.  Full body strength training workout with bursts of cardio that will tone your body and build your endurance.

Amanda Swartz   Tuesday and Thursday  5:00pm-5:45pm

Grooves – Get your heart pumping in this full out dance class.  Latin, hip hop and pop music inspire you to shake it and burn calories.

Vicky Howard Tuesday and Thursday 6:00-6:45pm and Saturday  10:15am -11:00am

Mixed Level Yoga – This class deeply explores the foundation yoga poses and three part yoga breathing to hold poses through several breaths.  This class is designed for those renewing a yoga practice or who want to build upon their yoga.

Valerie Wigton  Tuesday and Thursday 9:15am-10:00am

We have a new member waiver for all adult members to sign. You can sign it electronically before your first visit to the Y. Use the link below. Then, provide your last name and Y membership card bar code number. You can find your bar code number on the back of your membership card or in the Member Cards section of our mobile app.

Link to YMCA Electronic Signature Page

If you don’t know your bar code or can’t find it call the Y 740-725-9622 between 8:30 am & 4:00 pm and we’ll give it to you.

Please use the above URL to read and provide your electronic signature. If you don’t sign it prior to your first visit, we may ask you to do so before admitting you to use the facilities. Signing it now will make your first check-in quick and easy.

If you have a membership with more than one adult as part of the unit, you are receiving this because you are designated as the primary adult. We’ll be requesting signatures from the other adults in your household when they enter the facility. This electronic signature is only available to the adult in each household designated as the “primary member” within our Y software.

We updated our Code of Conduct. Please read the updated Code of Conduct and Promise to Members here.

1.   What are your hours?
   • Monday through Friday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm and 4:00 – 8:00 pm
   • Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

2.Will you be adding 5:00 AM weekdays back in the schedule?

• We won’t change for June 1, but if all goes well, we’ll move to earlier quickly.
• We chose 6:00 am as our initial open time for two reasons:
  • We conducted a member survey that included asking when members will use the building. The results reflected a low percentage of members who would use the Y at 5:00 am.
  • Our new operating model is more staff intensive, but we have fewer staff members than pre-pandemic. We want to make sure we can staff at levels needed.

3. What is included in the Wellness Center? Will the track and upstairs fitness equipment be available?
   • The Wellness Center is the large room in the front of the building with all the exercise equipment.
   • When we open on June 1 only the Wellness Center will be open. The upstairs Family Wellness Center with equipment and track will be as an overflow only if the Wellness Center fills.
   • However, we hope to move quickly to open more spaces in the facility. If all goes well our first week, we may open the second-floor track and Family Wellness Center the week of June 8.
4. Will Child Watch be available?

• Child Watch will be one of our last services to return and may not return until the State of Ohio updates their requirements for child care. A drop-in service won’t meet the current state requirements for child care operation during the continued pandemic.

5. What should I bring with me to the Y?
   • Be dressed in your workout clothes as the locker rooms are not available for changing.
   • Workout towel for sweat and a filled bottle of water. We will not be able to store belongings at the Service Center and our lockers will not be available at the outset of our re-opening, so we also recommend you bring a small bag for your things that you keep with you.
   • Have your membership card or phone with the Marion Family YMCA app ready to scan in.
6. Do I have to wear a mask?
   • Face covering recommended, but not required
7. Will you be checking temperatures before entering the Y?
   • Members will not be required to have their temperature taken upon entry to the Y, however, there will be a signage for self-screening in foyer & lobby.
   • Self-screening is based on CDC symptoms, exposure to someone with COVID and travel.
8. Will the check -in process be the same?
   • Scanning in will be almost the same as before. First though, we added a hand sanitizer station as you come in the building.
   • Have your membership card ready or phone open to our Marion Family YMCA app so that you can quickly scan in. We’re using a “rapid check-in” function on our software, so you won’t hear “Welcome” any more.
   • You’ll be able to use the locker rooms for washing hands and restrooms.
   • At least the first week, you’ll check out through the emergency exit in the Wellness Center. Please be sure and scan out when you leave, or inform one of the staff members in the Wellness Center that you’re leaving.
   • As we reopen other areas, members in the Wellness Center will continue to check out through that emergency exit, but other members will check out in the lobby.
9. How can I check in using my phone?
   • Download our mobile app by searching the App Store or Google Play for Marion Family YMCA. Our app recently changed, so if you have one already, we recommend you delete it and download the new app.
   • Within the app you can enter your membership card barcode number. If you lost your card, call us 740-725-9622 and we can look it up for you.

10.Will the Locker Rooms & Restrooms be open?

• • You’ll be able to use the locker rooms only as a restroom and to wash your hands. Unfortunately, the Responsible Restart Ohio guidelines are quite restrictive on locker room use.
  • No rental lockers, all lockers were emptied & items returned to members. We will reissue rentals later in the summer.
  • The lobby restrooms are open, but limited to one person at a time.

11. May I Bring a guest with me?

• • No, we’re reopening as members only, so no guests or Nationwide (visiting) members.
  • We are limited the number of people in the building / space at a time and want to make sure we have space for our members. As this restriction eases, we will re-evaluate our no guest policy.

12  Are there capacity limits in place?

• • • Following guidelines from the Governor, we will have reduced capacity based on ability to maintain 6 feet radius around every individual.
    • We’ve added a “check out” step for our members that will help us keep track of the number of people in the building at any one time.
    • In addition, staff will be performing head counts in areas of the building to maintain limited numbers.
    • If you check-in to the Y and the Wellness Center is at capacity, you may be offered to use the Family Wellness Center or Track instead. If you choose to do that, we’ll page you when you can move to the Wellness Center. Or, we’ll take your cell phone number and call you when there is space. We ask that you wait in your car or use the outdoor track.

13. I love the Y’s free lobby coffee. Will that be available?
    • We’ve discontinued coffee for the immediate future.
    • We’ve removed all social space. This breaks our heart as this is the best part of the Y, but it’s necessary for everyone’s health
14. How will social distancing be enforced?
    • Signs are posted throughout the facility regarding social distancing.
    • We’re asking all our members to stay at least six feet away from others.
    • If members are too close to each other or in groups, staff will ask them to separate.

15.What is our cleaning protocol?

• • • Members are asked to use the supplied disinfectant before and after they use each piece of exercise equipment. This disinfectant has a 5 minute “contact time”. Members are welcome to apply & keep saturated for 5 minutes, but we know this isn’t always possible. We recommend spraying the equipment & wiping it down before use. This cleaning process helps to remove contaminants. After use, spray your towel then wipe the equipment. This process applies the disinfectant to the equipment.
    • Staff members in the Wellness Center will disinfect equipment as it’s open and available. You may be asked to wait a couple of minutes while a piece is disinfected.
    • Staff will be cleaning restrooms, locker room restroom area and other high touch surface areas every two hours.
    • We’re closing Monday through Friday 2:00-4:00 pm for cleaning.
    • We have an experienced janitorial crew to clean & disinfect overnight.

16. How do I know it’s safe to come back?
    • We are doing everything possible to keep our Ys safe and clean, but only you can make the decision for what is right for you. Whenever any of us goes out and about, we’re assuming the risk of contracting COVID-19. That’s true when you visit the Y.
    • We’re frequently cleaning high contact surfaces; asking members to wipe down equipment before and after each use; staff are required to wear face masks and hand sanitizer stations ae available throughout the Y.
    • We are also enforcing social distancing of at least 6 feet between people.

17. When will other areas of the Y open?

• • • Our time line is tentative and will depend on how our protocols go during our first week open.
    • Starting June 8
      • Pickle Ball by reservation: members must bring in their own equipment such as balls and paddles
      • Open Gym by reservation: members must bring in their own basketball
      • Family Wellness Center & Track
      • Group Exercise classes by reservation (limited number of classes): members must bring their own floor mat.
    • Starting June 15
      • Day Camp will operate weekly June 15 through August 7
      • 8 lane pool will open for lap swim during limited hours. We’ll have those hours posted soon.

18. Will children 9 years old, still be able to come to the Y without an adult?

• • • • • On June 1 when we reopen, we’re only opening our Wellness Center. The age in the Wellness Center is 14 & older. Therefore, only members age 14 & older may use the Y the week of June 1.
        • As we reopen more aspects of the Y, our new age policy is:
          • Children must be 11 to be in the building alone without a parent /adult
          • Children ages 9 & 10 must have a parent/adult in the building, but the adult doesn’t have to be with the child. For example, you can be in a Group X class while your child enjoys Open Gym time.
          • Children 8 & younger must be participating in a Y program or directly supervised by a parent/adult. For example, if your child is shooting baskets in the gym, you must be there too.
        • Youth Memberships are now only sold to children ages 11 & older. If you have a child who is 9 or 10 and has their own Youth Membership, that’s great. They can continue with that membership. However, they won’t be able to use the Y without an adult in the building with them.
        • Children under age 11 may have a Youth Membership in they are participating on the Y’s Swim Team (when it resumes in the fall).

19. Can I resume with personal training that I had already purchased?

• • • Not right away. Personal training will not resume when we first reopen. If you have purchased personal training sessions, your sessions are still on your account and will be available to use once Personal Training resumes

20.Is my membership active when the Y reopens?

• • • • • • • Memberships that were placed on hold, will resume beginning in June. June draft will give credit for days missed in March (50% of normal amount or adjusted at annual renewal). Should you have questions about your Y membership, simply give us a call at 740-725-9622 and our Member Service Representative will be happy to assist you.

21. Can I put my membership on hold for the summer?

• • Members may put membership on hold for June, July or August with no fees. You just need to fill out the hold survey, click here, call
    740-725-9622, or send in the form on page two of the member letter we sent you dated May 19.
  • We must receive your hold request by May 28 to put your membership on hold for June.

22. I want to come back but I can no longer afford my membership rate, what can I do?

• • As a non-profit charitable organization, the YMCA offers scholarship assistance to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.  Applications for scholarship assistance are available at our Y or you can  click here.

23. What is the exact wording of the self-screening you are asking for members before we enter the building?

By entering and checking into this building you are attesting that you (and any minor children with you) can answer NO to all of these questions:

      1.Do you live with anyone or have you had close contact (prolonged or coughed on, for example) with anyone who has been diagnosed or diagnosed as likely with COVID-19 within the last 14 days?

2. Do you have of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell? (CDC.gov 5.17.2020)
3. Do you have any other signs of communicable illness such as a cold, flu, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea?
4. Have you or a member of your household traveled out of state in the last 14 days?

If you can answer YES to any of the above questions, you may not enter the building.

We are doing good!

I walk ALOT! But Certainly miss the weight and machines. I always felt working out was a blessing. Stay Safe out there and miss seeing your faces!

I find it very difficult doing workouts here at home. I REALLY miss ALL my 5 am classes.

Definitely miss the Y! Thankfully the weather hasn’t been too bad so outside walks are enjoyable.

We have group text with workout class sharing workouts and encouraging each other

Using the outside track and weights at home.

A couple of us are walking your track behind the building. It’s been great!

Walking your outside track for now and a stationary bicycle at home when the weather is bad. 

So I am riding my bike on the Tall Grass Trail(25 miles and 20 mile trips) – It is cold. I walked 5 miles at the cemetery twice this week.

Walking on the track behind the Y

I am doing okay, but have nothing to replace my time in the pool with the ladies early in the morning. It makes my mornings a little harder to get started but I am managing okay.

I am doing well – I am walking in the neighborhood and also along different parts of the Tall Grass trail.

My son is so bummed that school days out over spring break had to be canceled. He looks forward to seeing his friends from other schools and all the fun things he gets to do. Sometimes you take for granted things that seem so usual. The YMCA is such an important part of our community and our family looks forward to it’s reopening.

Currently, I am staying busy with work and helping my two daughters complete their online class assignments. I am trying to walk 8000 steps a day and use my stationary bike for at least 20 minutes a day.

We are staying home and using social distancing. Walking outside helps. So far, so good. Spending a lot of time on social media to stay connected with family.

I really miss swimming at the pool everyday.