The Recreation Centers of Sun City West’s COVID Task Force has determined the fitness centers and indoors pools will remain closed through at least Jan. 11.
The determination was based on information from health officials that the current case trajectory is expected to peak Jan. 8; at the same time hospitals have been filling up. Banner Health announced that on Dec. 28, 10 hospitals were diverting patients – meaning sending them to other hospitals due to capacity issues.
“This means that the hospitals are closed to incoming emergency transports and hospital transfers while they quickly work to address a backlog of patients,” Banner Health reported on its Twitter page. “Diversion only applies to incoming transfers. Walk-in patients will still be seen and cared for as quickly as possible; they will not be turned away. In addition, we have not yet activated the triage addendum to Arizona’s Crisis Standards of Care plan.
The Crisis Standards of Care plan determines the priority for care in hospitals if there is a shortage of beds, supplies and healthcare staff.
The fitness centers and indoor pools were closed Dec. 21 as Maricopa County reached “substantial” spread in cases, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services metrics. When the state first closed these facilities in June, the Association was required to sign an attestation agreeing to following certain cleaning and physical distancing protocols in order to reopen. That attestation included the understanding that the facilities would close again if the metrics fell back into the substantial range. The Governor and state health department have since back pedaled on some of those metrics, however the Association will continue to abide by the attestation it signed.
As a result, the four fitness centers, including the gyms and indoor pools, will remain closed until at least Jan. 11.
The chartered clubs were not covered in the attestation and therefore remain open. However, the Association strongly recommends clubs close on their own accord, and many have. “We are seeing at least one positive COVID case a day in our clubs,” said General Manager Bill Schwind. “We know our residents want to continue doing what they enjoy, but we strongly encourage them to avoid the club rooms. Stay at home, wear a mask and stay healthy.”
Other departments within the Association remain as is, but their status could change at any time. Residents should check suncitywest.com/COVID19 for the latest. As of now, the departments open/closed schedule is as follows:
Fitness Centers (including indoor swimming pools and spas, racquetball, table tennis, massage, personal training and group fitness): Closed through Jan. 11. The closure will be extended if needed. Outdoor facilities (tennis, pickleball, lawn bowls, walking tracks, etc.) will remain open; bring your own equipment.
Golf & Sports Pavilion: Open with existing precautions in place.
Clubs: Most open with the exception of social clubs and those that can’t physically distance. Some clubs have chosen to close on their own accord due to COVID cases (check suncitywest.com/COVID19 for the latest). Clubs are strongly encouraged to enact voluntary closures at this time; closures may be mandated in the future.
Member Services: By appointment only. Call 623-544-6100.
Administrative/Governing Board Offices: By appointment only. Call 623-544-6000.
Library: Curbside pickup for materials; Data Resource by appointment only. Call 623-544-6130 but expect wait times on the phone.
Village Store: Open beginning Jan. 11 with precautions in place.
For the latest COVID information from the Rec Centers, visit suncitywest.com/COVID19, and sign up for the weekly enews at suncitywest.com.
I have been using the fitness centers since I moved here 17 years ago. I depend on them to help me keep fit , and “keeping the old man out” (Clint Eastwood interview). I have used them all, but mainly Palm Ridge. Since the “bad thing”, I understand the need for caution. However, I have yet to see anyone violating the mask and distancing protocols. Everyone is fully aware of how to use the facility responsibly. To “punish” everyone because the state of Arizona has “rising” numbers is nonsense. We are adults and do not need to be treated like children. There will always be the “ten-percenters”, no matter what the problem. There is “craziness” and over-reacting everywhere. That is called Life. Thank you.
That was very well said and should be taken into consideration! Those that are trying to stay healthy by staying fit, will also be very careful and follow the rules!
Thank you
I feel the same way. RHJ and Palm Ridge staff were great on monitoring and cleaning the equipment. The members were good at wiping down the equipment. However the staff at Breadsley were more interested in reading their iPads and books instead of cleaning the equipment. I would’ve be at each facility an hour and a half. Please open and let us keep our old bodies running and fit. Thanks
Totally agree!
Keep the open library please. Movies selection is outstanding and now locked out
Please open the pools & fitness centers. We all need to keep fit being outside won’t hurt, being inside couch potatoes will.
Dear SCWRC,
Today, I reluctantly paid my rec center fee for another year.
Please publish the signed attestation or tell me how I can get a copy.
I know the Association and GM are trying to protect us all, but I think you all have gone too far, we are adults not your children. If you look at the facts you are more likely to catch the virus by staying inside, including chartered and social clubs and other indoor social gatherings than indoor fitness centers. Our fitness centers are following the most stringent cleaning protocols and guidelines. I’d venture to say, that our fitness centers may be cleaner and a safer place than some homes.
You mention “We are seeing at least one positive COVID case a day in our clubs,” said General Manager Bill Schwind.” I find it hard to believe, but if that is true, It’s outrageous that you allow the clubs to stay open at “one positive COVID case a day”, but close the fitness centers when there has been ZERO cases ever reported on any day.
You continue to abide by the attestation you all signed which follows the metrics thereby closing the fitness centers, however your logic does not make sense. Even our state Governor and Health officials have recognized that some of the metrics don’t apply to gyms.
Listen to your state government, “The Governor and state health department have since back pedaled on some of those metrics, however the Association will continue to abide by the attestation it signed.”
Why is the Association deciding to abide by it’s previously signed attestation when it is not required to do so ? It seems that our Association leaders enjoy exercising their power over us, “their children”.
BOSTON, Sept. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — After analyzing millions of member check-in data across 2,873 gyms, sports clubs and boutique fitness centers over the course of three months, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and MXM, a technology and knowledge transfer company specializing in member tracking within the fitness industry, conclusively found that fitness facilities are safe and are not contributing to the spread of COVID-19.
From May 1 through August 6, 2020, IHRSA and MXM closely examined and compared member check-in data (number of gym visits) from a number of fitness facilities – such as Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Life Time, and Orangetheory – across the country with self-reported infection rates. After nearly 50 million check-ins over that three-month period, the study found that a nominal 0.0023 percent tested positive for COVID-19. Gyms nationwide have robust COVID-19 safety measures in place and there is ZERO EVIDENCE that the positive cases originated in gyms themselves.
“The data shows that, with proper sanitization protocols in place, people can safely return to their workout routines. Working out has never been more important to help boost immunity and improve mental health. It’s time to acknowledge that gyms are safe.”
“Fitness centers are needed now more than ever to help us stay active and maintain a healthy immune system,” added Robert Sallis, M.D. with Kaiser Permanente. “COVID-19 risk factors haven’t changed since the pandemic began – obesity, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes put you at much higher risk for both short- and long-term complications. It’s imperative that we all make real change now to stay healthy given that exercise is an essential part of life.”
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-study-confirms-its-safe-to-work-out-at-the-gym-current-data-shows-no-evidence-of-covid-19-spread-in-gyms-301122664.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the COVID-19 outbreak. “Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through contact with contaminated surfaces,”
I’d like to repeat, “WORKING OUT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT TO HELP BOOST IMMUNITY AND IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH. IT’S TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GYMS ARE SAFE” Please open the gyms NOW!!!
Respectfully,
Robert Beckham
I think you can open the fitness rooms by requiring people to make an appointment, and only allow 4 or 5 people in every 50 min. (9-9:50, 10-10:50 etc. and wiping down in between. Just because, you “Open” them, doesn’t mean they will be as crowded as they were before this “thing”.
I agree with the above comments. The board has gone too far and is making life difficult for those of us who are responsible to use prescribed safety measures. I wish we could do something about the situation. It is very frustrating for all members.
Totally agree with Chris Lapinskas