By Melinda Munson
After the emergency closure in March, the Skagway Recreation Center (SRC) is scheduled to open on Sept. 20, as long as there continues to be no community spread of COVID-19. Use will be by appointment only and new mitigation rules have been established.
“The rec-center director, Katherine (Nelson), has been working hard to develop phase one of a plan to reopen the rec-center safely with winter weather coming. The plan is to limit access so that social distancing and proper cleaning can take place to keep transmission of COVID-19 from happening at the rec-center,” said Borough Manager Brad Ryan.
Patrons must make an appointment to use the SRC by visiting https://signupschedule.com/src.
Spin equipment and some cardio machines have been moved to the gym floor for greater distancing. Yoga classes will also take place in the gym with participants asked to bring their own mats.
A maximum of four people at a time are allowed in the weight room. Masks are mandatory. The same rules apply to the cardio floor.
Clients must sanitize their hands and wipe down equipment before and after use and bring their own workout towels. Towels are required for the spinning and cardio room.
Cloth or surgical masks must be worn while inside the SRC. Patrons should maintain a six-foot distance while moving around equipment and keep a minimum distance of 12 feet while exercising.
Individuals should be no earlier than 10 minutes before group fitness classes and no earlier than five minutes before cardio and weight room use.
Users must “appear healthy, have signed up online and have a temperature below 100 degrees.” They must also attest they have not travelled outside of Skagway in the last 14 days.
Showers, the rock wall, the afterschool program, toddler time, playgroup and open gym will remain closed. No children under 13 are allowed in the center and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and have management approval to utilize the cardio and weight rooms or fitness classes.
Patrons will be charged $2 per day. Long term memberships are not currently available. Users will be contacted every two weeks for payment with reservation records as the basis of charges.
Viola Gazzeara, normally a 5:30 a.m. regular at the SRC, is excited for the center to open.
“Let’s just get it on,” she said. She is, however, concerned about the $2 per reservation use fee. It adds up, she told the assembly, at a time when paying bills is difficult.
