With its two month-long phased reopening plan complete, the YMCA of Metro North announced operations resumed at the Saugus YMCA Sept. 8.
In addition to the recent reopening of its final fitness center, the organization also stated it plans to add more classes to every location’s schedule.
“We have a couple months of data under our belt about what is working or not,” said Kathleen Walsh, president and CEO of YMCA of Metro North. “We revised our safety and cleaning procedures when we saw issues and kept adapting. Now, our Saugus fitness center will open, and we feel pretty confident about adding more open hours and classes to the schedule.”
The organization’s phased reopening plan includes enhanced COVID-19 safety features for its gymnastics center and each of its four fitness centers.
The new safety features include requiring the use of face coverings when working out in most building areas, the installation of six-foot plexiglass shields between cardio equipment, and mandatory reservations for pool lanes and group classes to control group sizes.
“We followed the lead of other YMCAs across the country and opened branches slowly,” said Jen Conway, executive director of the Saugus YMCA. “Our gymnastics center and summer camp opened earlier in the summer and got some great feedback from participants. We’re ready for our fitness center members now and can’t wait to see them back.”
Some areas of the buildings’ facilities will remain closed, including saunas, steam rooms, and locker rooms.
Child watch services will open with limited hours at the Torigian YMCA branch in Peabody. The association branches are also purchasing outdoor tents to host a selection of its group exercise classes as the weather turns colder.
“We plan to introduce more activities and amenities as we get additional guidance from health officials, and when we know that we can do things safely,” Torigian YMCA Executive Director Rob Lowell said. “We’re not out of the woods yet. We will continue with an abundance of caution as we add more classes, more family activities, and open the fall program session.”
YMCA of Metro North’s fall classes are available for viewing online at www.ymcametronorth.org.
