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Recreation Centers of Sun City West officials put out a release June 12, mandating masks be worn in all RCSCW indoor facilities. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said June 17 every Arizonan should wear a face mask, but leaving the mandating decision up to individual municipalities and counties. Mr. Ducey added this is an issue of personal responsibility and asking Arizonans to make responsible decisions to protect the most vulnerable in the community.
Effective June 30, consistent with Gov. Ducey’s executive order, RCSCW officials closed fitness centers, massage and personal training services and other indoor recreation venues. Also included were racquetball courts, table tennis, walking track and the indoor pool at Palm Ridge Recreation Center, 13800 W. Deer Valley Road, until at least Monday, July 27.
RCSCW General Manager Bill Schwind addressed the new mandates during the Rec Center Show on 103.1 FM KSCW with host Gary Cohen.
As of June 30, 128 confirmed cases were listed on the Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19 case by ZIP code website. Mr. Schwind said no one likes the spike in numbers and with the new order from the governor, Sun City West is directly effected and has to abide by the rule changes.
“Knowing what we know obviously, I like to call it the air we share and that’s really what it comes down to,” he said. “It’s a bit problematic when things like social distancing aren’t being followed when it comes to the contagiousness of this virus.”
Mr. Cohen addressed the congregating some owner-members are referencing when it comes to pool activities. However, Mr. Schwind said officials are witnessing the vast majority of people complying. Some are not happy a face mask is required to enter the pool check-in area, according to Mr. Schwind, but the RCSCW officials are erring on the side of safety and science is showing facial coverings do help.
“When it comes to our pools and the new order we are not a water park, we are considered a swimming pool,” Mr. Schwind explained. “We are trying to keep people distanced if you are hanging out with your wife or someone you live with and enjoying yourself there are no issues as there is lots of air to share. The governor’s orders are for groups of 10. The water volleyball and those types of things in confined space with people huffing and puffing and sharing droplets. Keep the distance of a pool noodle and really preventing those clusters are what the new executive orders are trying to prevent.”
Mr. Cohen also addressed RCSCW officials closing down facilities when numbers were much lower and the reasoning for not closing the same facilities down now.
Mr. Schwind explained early on RCSCW officials were paying attention to the numbers in February and March and things were shut down in an attempt to slow the curve and waiting on a 14-day decline that never really happened.
“So here we are not a government or city agency with no mayor or city council and we are operating the best we can observing other regions and states and trying to apply some kind of logic to operational performance.” he said. “They opened the gates, I believe a little too early.”
With the governor’s orders in play, a weight has been lifted off the officials of the RCSCW, who have been catching a great deal of grief from owner-members who don’t agree with masks or closure policies.
“It’s not us making the call anymore, this is a mandate,” Mr. Schwind said.
Looking ahead when the order expires July 27, Mr. Cohen asked if the RCSCW officials would extend the closures. Mr. Schwind said the team will certainly look at it cumulative and come to a decision with the help of health professionals and the RCSCW governing board.
“The goal of the team is to minimize risk for owner-members,” he said. “We do have 480 employees that help make this ship sail and they are exposed as well as owner-members. Half our employees don’t live here and they face the risk of living in large municipal environments where some people do and don’t participate in distancing scenarios, but they are all trained what’s what and we are hoping to get through this.”
Mr. Cohen will host another edition of the Rec Center Show 8 a.m. July 7.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.
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