The city of Glendale is preparing to welcome residents back to recreation facilities and sports fields closed earlier this year to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Drive, will begin a phased reopening. At the same time, reservations will resume for Glendale sports fields, while additional library services will be added.

The city is closely monitoring COVID-19 statistics and is strictly following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arizona Department of Health Services guidelines, Glendale officials stated in a Sept. 18 news release.

The Foothills Recreation Center will begin a staged reopening to current members only. The center will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with 90-minute sessions offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Temperature checks will take place on all members as they enter the facility, and masks will be required at all times.

Sessions:

• 10–11:30 a.m. first session
• 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m. second session
• 1:30–3 p.m. third session
• 3:15–4:45 p.m. fourth session

The following areas will be available, with a limited capacity:

• Gymnasium: Open gym
• Pickleball, 10 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
• Basketball 1:30-4:45 p.m.
• Walking/Jogging Track
• Fitness Center

Separate from the recreation areas listed above, meeting rooms will be open for reservations, while adhering to CDC guidelines.

Also on Oct. 1, the city will open the Foothills Aquatics Center, at a moderate benchmark, to current members only. Aquatics will be open Tuesday through Saturday for lap swim only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Temperature checks will take place on all members as they enter the facility and masks will be required, except when in the water. The Aquatics Center will not be open to outside rentals at this time.

Ramada/Special Use/Sports Field Reservations

On Thursday, Oct. 1, the city will open reservations to outside organizations for gatherings and programs. This includes areas such as the Glendale Youth Sports Complex, Foothills Sports Complex, Paseo Sports Complex, Thunderbird Paseo Linear Park, Sahuaro Ranch Sports Complex and park ramadas.

Use of these amenities will be by reservation only, and the applicant will be responsible for following all CDC and AZDHS guidelines.

Library Computers

On Thursday, Oct. 1, the libraries will allow patrons access to computers on a limited basis as part of their Express Computer Access plan. Patrons will be able to use library computers during 30-minute sessions that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The use of the computers will require constant staff monitoring and thorough cleaning between each session. To maintain physical distancing, staff will move devices around in the walk-through area or adjacent rooms as appropriate.