Recreation Center Covid Operational Procedures
Recreation Center Covid Operational Procedures
(Updated May 24, 2021)
Please note that the following information is subject to change while we adapt to the evolving State and local Board of Health requirements. There will be instances when we all sacrifice some conveniences in an effort to procure public safety. We appreciate your patience as we work together to enjoy the Recreation Center in a way that accommodates these restrictions and respects the privilege that our great facility is to the community.
The Recreation Center and pool will be closed on Tuesday, June 1st and Wednesday, June 2nd. This closure will allow the Recreation Staff to prepare the facility for a return to normal operations. The Recreation Center and pool will reopen on Thursday, June 3.
Operational Details
- General
- Facility will operate at a 50% occupancy limit.
- There will be one entrance and two exits to reduce cross traffic and gathering.
- The doors facing the Municipal Building will be the entrance. The doors facing Cooper Road and located near the Blue Gym will serve as the exits. Exception: Handicap parking users can enter/exit through the doors facing the Municipal Building.
- Face Covering Requirements
- Individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (two weeks after final dose) are not required to wear a face covering within all City buildings and facilities.
- The City of Blue Ash is requiring face coverings for individuals who are not fully vaccinated within all City buildings and facilities with the following exceptions:
- Persons actively engaged in exercise so long as six or more feet of separation between individuals exist. Members will be required to wear face coverings while checking into the facility.
- Persons with a medical condition or disability contraindicating the wearing of a facial covering.
- Persons under 10 years of age.
- Persons in an outdoor setting (pool deck) so long as six or more feet of separation between individuals exist. Members and guests visiting the pool will also be required to wear face coverings when entering the facility to use the locker rooms.
- Please note that there are some Board of Health approved rules that allow for activity within six feet of another individual. Example includes personal training.
- Facility Hours - Labor Day to Memorial Day Weekend
- Monday-Thursday
- Open to all Members & Guests 6:00a – 2:00p
- Building Closed for Sanitizing 2:00p – 3:00p
- Open for Seniors & High Risk Patrons 3:00p – 4:00p
- Open to all Members & Guests 4:00p – 9:30p
- Friday
- Open to all Members & Guests 6:00a – 2:00p
- Building Closed for Sanitizing 2:00p – 3:00p
- Open for Seniors & High Risk Patrons 3:00p – 4:00p
- Open to all Members & Guests 4:00p – 9:00p
- Saturday
- Open to all Members & Guests 8:00a – 6:00p
- Sunday
- Open to all Members & Guests 10:00a – 4:00p
- Facility Hours - Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day
- Monday-Friday 6:00a – 9:30p
- Saturday 8:00a – 8:30p
- Sunday 10:00a – 6:30p
- Memorial Day
- Monday 10:00a - 7:00p
- Memberships
- All memberships received an extension equal to the length of time that the facility was closed from March 16 through the opening of the pool; June 30. This is a 107 day extension that was automatically added to your membership account.
- Fitness Center
- The Fitness Center footprint has been enlarged in an effort to increase capacity while providing social distancing means. In order to accommodate this, a portion of the equipment has been moved to the Blue Gym.
- All group fitness classes and other appropriate programming will be held in the Red Gym with a limited schedule and capacity. A visual grid system will be in place on the floor to cue proper social distancing of participants.
- Click here to view the most up to date fitness schedule. Please note that this will be a limited schedule in an attempt to share time between all of our classes and programs.
- Rec programming schedules will be released as information is available. Please check the Recreation specific portion of the City website for updated activity guide information and other announcements.
- Outdoor Tennis Courts
- Court reservation procedures, programming and league information will be released as it is available. Please check the summer activity guide or click here for details.
- Racquetball Courts
- Equipment is available for rental and will be sanitized by Rec staff between uses.
- Locker Rooms
- Locker availability will be limited and spaced to accommodate social distancing.
- Showers
- Sanitizer will be available at each shower stall and we will require that you sanitize all surfaces before and after use.
- Whirlpool
- Will require social distancing at all times and there will be a whirlpool capacity of no more than 4 users at a time. Face coverings will not be required while in the whirlpool but all other facility rules apply when entering and leaving the area.
- Saunas
- Sauna usage will be limited to 1 individual at a time unless users are members of the same household.
- We ask that a time limit of 25 minutes be observed.
- Sanitizer will be provided to be utilized before and after sauna usage.
- Climbing Wall
- Usage will be by reservation only and we will have additional sanitization measures in place, including the use of an environmentally safe anti-microbial product. Unlike other sanitizing products, this product bonds with the surface it has been applied to and does not allow COVID-19 and other virus/bacteria to survive on that surface for extended periods of time. This will not replace our current daily sanitizing procedures, but will be an additional layer of safety that we plan to utilize in areas of the facility that experience high volumes of surface contact. For more information about the re-opening of the Climbing Wall, click here.
- Open Gym
- Half of the Blue Gym will be available for open gym with some restrictions. Capacity will be limited to no more than 20 individuals at one time and reservations will be required. Basketball games are allowed and masks may be removed while actively engaged in play. Users must remain socially distanced and wear a face covering at all other times. We encourage members to bring their own basketballs, but we will have sanitized basketballs available for check out at the front desk. For more information about the re-opening of open gym, click here.
- Tot Room
- Spots will be available by reservation only. The tot room is also being moved to the former game room space to allow for increased ability to social distance. This move combined with capacity limitations will allow us to meet all Board of Health guidelines and provide a safe environment for your children. For more information about the re-opening of the Tot Room, click here.
- Café
- The Cafe is temporarily closed. We will will continue to monitor our overall facility usage and utilize that information in making a decision regarding re-opening our Cafe operations.
- Shelters & Rental Rooms
- Shelter reservations may be made in person at the Blue Ash Recreation Center. All reservations will be subject to current group gathering limitations.
- If facility closures or gathering restrictions change within two weeks of your upcoming rental, our staff will be reaching out to you to discuss options for rescheduling.
- We are currently not accepting any new rental facility requests for rental rooms at Summit Park. We will update this information when we are able to facilitate rental room usage at Summit Park.
- For additional details, including room and shelter capacities, click here.
- Please visit www.coopercreekblueash.com for information regarding the Cooper Creek Event Center venue availability.
- Programming
- Our Summer Activity Guide will be released in late April and will provide information regarding all of our Summer Programming. It can be accessed by visiting the Recreation section of www.blueash.com.
- If you have questions about a specific program you can reach out to those individual instructors or for general questions please reach out to recreation@blueash.com.
- Events
- The events and programming team is working hard to continue to engage our community in fun and creative ways.
- For information regarding upcoming programs and events and a comprehensive list of program and event cancellations, please click here.
- Please check out our social media to receive information regarding upcoming programming and fun interactive posts.
In accordance with the Stay Safe Ohio Order and the Hamilton County Board of Health, the following closures and safety measures will be in place upon opening:
Cleaning and Safety Measures:
- Express Check-In line will be available to expedite the process for those just wishing to check in to the facility.
- Physical barriers will be located at the Welcome Desk, Climbing Wall, and Café for the protection of both staff and patrons.
- Sanitizer stations and gym wipes will be available throughout the facility for easy access.
- Additional signage, floor decals and wayfinding will be located throughout facility to encourage proper safety protocol including social distancing and frequent sanitizing.
- Locker rooms, restrooms and high-touch surfaces will be sanitized in accordance to State and local Board of Health requirements.
- All staff will be required to wear face coverings except in instances where there is a functional (practical) reason for an employee to not wear a face covering. For example, group fitness instruction if the instructor is distanced properly from the class participants, etc.
- Members are required to wear a face covering.
Areas Currently Not Available:
- Lockers will be limited and spaced
- Game Room
- Red Gym and Half Blue Gym (Gymnasiums have been repurposed for fitness use)
- Cafe