Failure to comply can result in ADHS shutting us down and member privileges being revoked. Sadly, we’ve already had to revoke privileges for a few members after they failed to heed multiple warnings and continued to refuse the health-related county mandate.”

RCSCW General Manager Bill Schwind

By Jennifer Jimenez
Twitter: @SCW_Independent

Recreation Centers of Sun City West ispreparing to open its fitness centers, but first several guidelines have to be met before that can happen.

The Rec Center Show on 103.1 FM KSCW with host Gary Cohen, featured RCSCW General Manager Bill Schwind and RCSCW Facilities Manager Russ Boston, who provided an update to the community on the necessary guidelines that must be adhered to.

The Arizona Department of Health Services released requirements for indoor gyms and fitness clubs and centers July 31. Per the requirement, for these facilities to reopen in Maricopa County, the county must have fewer than 100 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, less than 10% test positive for the virus and hospital visits due to COVID-like illnesses is below 10%. Maricopa County, as of Aug. 12, already met the first benchmark with a 5.3% hospitalization rate. There were 117 cases per 100,000. The figure was at 11.2% for positivity.

“My job is to read the guidelines and try to apply them to make sense to everyone coming through the door,” Mr. Boston said. “We did get some options on whether we would be going over temperature checks, wellness screening or a questionnaire. Our object is to try not to slow down the lines.”

Mr.Schwind described the association being at the starting line with feet in the blocks, just waiting for the green light.

“Once we have enough personal protective equipment and staff to operate facilities and keep clean as the health professionals tell us, we can move forward and fill out a document online to apply for reopening. There is a lot of work involved moving this thing forward and we are doing everything we can to keep people safe,” he said.

All members entering the fitness center and pool lobbies will be screened with contactless thermometers, regardless of whether they are entering the gym, pool or indoor walking track. Mr. Boston said any temperatures below 100.4 degrees will be accepted into the facility.

“I am impressed with how staff has adjusted and you think of a monitor station, which is typically a simple job, and when you throw a monkey wrench in it, it can really mix things up, and people have responded very well and so have residents as well for the most part,” he said.

According to the ADHS website, the first level includes centers reopening at 25% capacity, then moving into the second the centers can open at 50%. However, per an Aug. 12 press release from RCSCW, “The Rec Centers will likely open at even lower capacities due to physical distancing requirements and the need to eliminate congregation points.”

Mr. Boston said as per the ADHS requirements, RCSCW officials are required to have extra staff to meet guidelines, including someone at the door doing checks, as well as someone in the fitness room full-time to clean in one hour increments, as well as the whole gym every half hour.

“That’s three people per shift and three shifts per day for a total of nine people,” he said. “We will try to open two gyms and that depends on if we can get extra people. It’s just a matter of people getting used to the new facility.”

Mr. Boston went on to explain people should realize there is going to be a bit of a change when things reopen, saying only the fitness center at Palm Ridge Recreation Center will be reopened, unless RCSCW officials end up with enough people to facilitate R.H. Johnson fitness center to rotate throughout the week.

“Plans call for the fitness centers at R.H. Johnson and Palm Ridge recreation centers to open once the benchmarks are met; once the Association’s ‘attestation’ is accepted; and as soon as personnel and adequate cleaning supplies are in place,” RCSCW officials stated in the press release. “That may require the centers to open on different dates. Logistics are still being worked out. The reopening would not include the table tennis and racquetball at R.H. Johnson in the initial reopening. Kuentz and Beardsley will remain closed. Clubs at Kuentz and Beardsley that were opened earlier remain open.”

Mr. Schwind reminded owner-members in the release about the mandate of masks.

“As we’ve mentioned before, you don’t have to like the masks, but you do have to wear them,” said Mr. Schwind. “Failure to comply can result in ADHS shutting us down and member privileges being revoked. Sadly, we’ve already had to revoke privileges for a few members after they failed to heed multiple warnings and continued to refuse the health-related county mandate.”

Fitness centers will have a sign-up sheet for one-hour reservations, once opened. Between each one-hour block, a half hour is reserved for staff to sanitize the entire gym and equipment. Per ADHS, additional cleaning will take place between users on the equipment. Members must sign up in person and no guests are permitted. No more than 10 individuals will be allowed and up to two residents using personal training will be allowed in the gyms at one time.

Jennifer Jimenez
Reporter | Sun City West
@SCW_Independent

jjimenez@iniusa.org

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.