Courtesy photo.
SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA (in Westlake Village) will reopen Wednesday July 1. The Conejo Valley YMCA remains closed pending implementation of additional social distancing measures. Conejo Y members can use the Simi Valley and Yarrow facilities.
“We understand how important our Y is to the health and wellness of our community,” says Ronnie Stone, President/CEO of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, which oversees the three local Y branches. “We hope to see our members back at the Y as soon as they feel comfortable.”
Fitness centers are the first to reopen. Next will be exercise classes and the kids’ zone play areas followed by pools and the Yarrow Y gymnasium. “We are opening in phases. We’re now in phase one,” says Stone. “We hope to roll out the second and third phases as quickly as possible.”
Some of the changes members will see include:
–Fitness equipment is positioned no less than 6 feet apart.
–Each workout area will have a maximum capacity.
–Fitness attendants will provide frequent and thorough cleanings for all equipment and frequently touched surfaces.
–The Ys will shut down mid-day for in-depth cleaning.
–Machines will be marked so members know they have received the proper sanitation before starting a workout
–Members will use touch-free check-ins; drinking fountains and faucets will have touchless technology.
–All staff will wear masks and gloves. Members will be required to wear masks upon entering the building; but masks will not be required while working out.
To allow time for cleaning, new hours of operation are:
Monday- Friday: 5:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., closed from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. for cleaning
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – noon
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
“We’re asking members to limit their time on each machine so that others have an opportunity to work out,” says Stone. “If everyone follows the safety guidelines, the sooner we can move to reopen more of the facilities.”
Contact each branch for more information: Yarrow Family YMCA (serving Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Oak Park, 818-707-9622) Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Moorpark and the Santa Rosa Valley) and Simi Valley Family YMCA (serving Simi Valley, 805-583-5338).