An abundance of patience and an investment of $50,000 in new safety and cleaning equipment and supplies has proven to be the formula for success for the YMCA of Metro North to get back to business, causing the Y to state its best case that gyms can be operated safely.
“I read the opinions of Dr. (Anthony) Fauci and others with their concerns about the gym and exercising indoors. We take those concerns very seriously,” said Metro North President and CEO Kathleen Walsh. “We invested a lot in acquiring the latest safety equipment and have followed the recommendations of public health officials to the letter since day one. When we poll our members, they overwhelmingly say they feel good about what we have done. The feedback has been very positive.”
Walsh said that since reopening the Torigian facility in Peabody on July 7 (the first of its four locations to reopen), Metro North has welcomed 1,200 newly-activated members back with 65 percent of its pre-COVID membership base now on its rolls. All facilities are operating with limited capacity. Masks are mandatory inside the premises, but are not required outdoors and in some designated areas indoors where members can be 14 feet apart.
Senior Director of Marketing and Membership Sandy St. Louis said, “we haven’t been notified that anyone contracted COVID in our fitness facility, but we were informed (Wednesday) that an early learner in our childcare program (at the Y Academy) tested positive and everyone is fine for now.
St. Louis said the child care facility is located in a separate wing at Torigian with a separate entrance. Parents of children in the same classroom were notified, with children removed and in quarantine until Sept. 29. The classroom was deep cleaned before opening Thursday. Staff must test negative before returning to work.
“We ask members to give themselves a health check and not to come if they are positive or sick,” said St. Louis. “Thankfully, it’s been pretty quiet.”
Torigian Executive Director Rob Lowell said the Y is asking members on a daily basis for feedback and it is taking their feedback seriously by checking up on problems or issues that come to its attention.
“One of our members said they feel safer coming into the Y than going into most other public spaces,” Lowell said. “We’ve stayed vigilant about following our safety protocols. I think that kind of consistency gives people confidence in our systems.”
“Everyone shows real concern for the members. One feels totally at ease inquiring about any aspect of programs or procedures,” says Brian Chenery, a Torigian member. “I feel so comfortable here that I have terminated a 16-year membership at another health club. That is how impressed I have been.”
The YMCA of Metro North completely overhauled its facilities during its shutdown. It purchased state-of-the-art equipment to mitigate the risk of coronavirus transmission. In addition to required PPE, the association purchased plexiglass shields for its cardio and strength equipment, redesigned spaces to allow for more social distancing and added more staff hours to cleaning and sanitation. Reservations are required for pool lanes, and group exercise activities ensure adequate social distancing guidelines are maintained.
Walsh said the expenditure was “money well spent.”
“This summer, people were cautious with a wait-and-see attitude. The state’s case numbers remain lower, and people are starting to come back and try out the fitness center or take a class,” said Sandy St. Louis, Senior Director of Membership. “We expect to see more members returning soon, and with some gyms in the area closing, we have new people trying out the Y as well.”
Metro North continues to add more swim lessons and fitness classes with one fall class session beginning this week and another set to start Oct. 26.
“People want gyms to be safe. For many, exercise and physical activity is as much a part of maintaining their mental health as it is their physical health,” said Walsh. “Our members trust that we will do the right things, and we are adamant about making sure safety is the first thing we consider as we open more areas and amenities.”
For more information, visit Metro North’s website at https://www.ymcametronorth.org.
