Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

Outlined below is an update on the changes to state rules and responses to the feedback we have received with respect to these changes, specifically related to pools being underutilized/having capacity and the related behaviors. Please note that appearances can be deceiving; further, we are enlisting a pool deck monitor during busy times to help facilitate lane and deck flow. See more below.

Further, we do have some other noteworthy items that we would like to bring to your attention.

Lastly, we have some points about basic operating procedures – starting with the basic of all rules: If you are not feeling well, please do not come to the YMCA.

State Rules

As you may recall, it has been approximately 7 weeks since CT announced the new Team on Pause/Reduced Occupancy Limits/Face Covering at all times rules that were put in place with a targeted end date of January 19.  While no further guidance has been provided as to the likelihood of maintaining the end date, the Governor stated at announcement that he was concerned about overwhelming the health care system.  As of now, hospitalizations are down from where they were post-Thanksgiving.  That said, positivity rate has increased over the period and the recent announcement that the more transmissible UK variant has made its way to CT.  The Y has seen a few cases of positives and closed contacts over the period, but they have been limited and all indications are that the Y is neither a source of initial positives nor community spread. We will keep you posted on the state rule changes and remain hopeful that we can increase capacity after January 19.

Aquatic Reservations

Our pools are a desirable commodity and having both an Olympic Pool as well as a smaller pool allows us to host many aquatic athletes comfortably and safely. Invariably, demand for pool time exceeds our supply, especially when the state mandates occupancy restrictions. As such, we have received a lot of feedback citing what is believed to be underutilized capacity.  Please note that there are several reasons for this appearance (explained below).  That all said, we are adding resources to address lane and deck occupancy.

  • Lane/Deck Monitoring
    • Maintaining lane compliance and proper deck occupancy has been a challenge.
    • Our lifeguards have the primary responsibility of guarding lives and cannot be distracted with the lane and deck compliance.
    • As such, we are dedicating resources during peak times whose sole responsibility will be to assure that lane reservation times are being honored accurately and respectfully.
    • I respectfully ask that you abide by direction provided by both the lifeguards and the deck monitors.
  • We have staggered the start time of lanes and set the standard swim time to 55 minutes.
    • However, there are lanes that have time allocations less than the standard.
      • Please be mindful of the allotted time when making the reservation.
      • More importantly, please be respectful of departing your lane timely to permit your fellow Members access for their allotted time.
    • There are swimmers that do not utilize the full time allotment.
      • Members are entitled to utilize their lane reservation within their time allotment.
      • Some arrive later than the stated start time, knowing that they will complete their swim within the prescribed timing
      • Others arrive at the prescribed start time but depart early.
      • As such, lanes may appear to be empty but they are fully reserved; however, not utilized for every minute of every hour.
    • Further still, within a 15 minute window, a quarter of the lanes are within a prescribed transition period so as to control deck occupancy.
    • Aquatic Teams – have blocks of time and their own monitoring system. Although the lanes may appear empty, they are being monitored away from the master reservation system.
      • In the case of our younger aquatics athletes who may not be feeling well, we err on the side of caution with a cancellation versus coming to the Y and subsequently testing positive.

Added Private Cardio Room in 2nd Floor Rotunda

In response to high demand for our private cardio room, we’ve created an additional space on the former spin studio on the second floor. Features of Private Cardio Room 2 include:

  • 3 machines (treadmill, elliptical, and spin bike)
  • Space for stretching and functional fitness exercises
  • Natural airflow and sunlight
  • Sound system available via Bluetooth connection from a smartphone
  • Smart TV

**UPDATED POLICY ON USAGE – Members may now utilize either of the private cardio rooms with up to 2 additional members from the same household (must reside at the same address). Minimum age for use is 12. Members between the ages of 12- 15 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) from the same household. Only one member from the household is required to make the reservation.

Group Wellness Schedule Changes

Effective Monday January 11th the following updated will take place:

  • Yoga w/ Francesca (Wednesdays)      New time!  6-7:00pm (virtual)
  • Parkinson’s Boxing w/ Toni:                New class!  Mondays @ 10:00am (LIVE and Virtual)

Additional class changes or additions will be posted to the website and the YMCA App.

January Personal Training Initiative

In order to help our members stay healthy and active during these times, we are launching a personal training initiative for the month of January. We invite all members to schedule a complimentary 30-minute fitness consultation (in person or virtual) with any one of our qualified personal trainers. Contact our wellness department at wellness@gwymca.org or 203-869-1630 ext. 210.

Operating Procedures

  • If you are not feeling well, please do not come to the YMCA.
    • Additionally, if you are awaiting test results – be it from return travel or potential closed contact (and regardless if you are asymptomatic) – please do not come to the Y.
    • Your cooperation is appreciated.
  • Reservation Cancellations
    • Reservations serve many purposes
      • Permit Members to exercise within prescribed guidelines including
        • Occupancy Control
        • Contact Tracing Capability
      • If you make a reservation and find that you cannot use your allotted time, we ask that you cancel your reservation as soon as practical.
        • It is understandable that one may miss a reservation occasionally.
        • However, we have been tracking missed reservations and noted recently that a few Members who have missed multiple reservations without cancelling.
          • If we find that you have violated the reservation policy (e.g., missed a reservation, double booked, etc.) three times, we will be revoking your access to the Y for free programs and the Reservation System for one week with incremental penalties for each future offense.
          • See below on the steps to follow to cancel your reservation via the App.
          • You can also call or email the Front Desk to address but the App is the most timely communication method.
  • Link to Fitness Reservation guidelines https://www.greenwichymca.org/fitness-reservations/
    • How to Cancel
      • Open the YMCA of Greenwich App
      • Tap the middle icon labeled “Gym” on the bottom menu
      • Tap “View All Classes”
      • Select the class/lane reservation/wellness room slot of your choice
      • Tap the “Booked” icon tab
      • Select the class/lane reservation/wellness room that you wish to cancel
      • Tap the “Cancel Booking” icon on the bottom menu
      • View How To Video
  • Face Covering
    • As noted previously, one needs to be wearing a face covering in the Y at all times, with limited exceptions when one is in water – pool/showers.
      • That said, Members need to cover their faces as they approach the water as well as upon departure.
    • We unfortunately continue to see violations to the face covering policy.
      • Face covering not in place at all times.
      • Face covering not worn properly (e.g., needs to cover nose and mouth.)
    • Compliant Members are not comfortable exercising in such a noncompliant environment.
    • Similar to violations to the Fitness Reservation policy, if you have been identified as someone who have violated the face covering policy multiple times, we will be temporarily revoking your Membership privileges.

Stay Healthy and Safe!

Michael Kelly,

Chief Operating Officer,
Greenwich YMCA

 

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