Rec Centers announces partial reopening

Due to increasing demand from residents and the fact the Governor’s Stay at Home order has expired, the Recreation Centers of Sun City West announces some facility reopenings as soon as this Friday.

Members must not congregate, must abide by CDC guidelines, and must remain at home if they are not feeling well, have a fever, or have been in contact with someone with Covid-19. Members are highly encouraged to stay home if they are in a vulnerable group more susceptible to Covid-19.

“If we could keep these facilities closed until the risk is abated, we would,” said General Manager Bill Schwind. “Unfortunately, the experts tell us Covid-19 will be with us for quite a long time, and the stress on our residents from the long-term isolation is beginning to show. We feel opening now with an emphasis on personal responsibility is our only option. We are still abiding by the Governor’s orders and CDC guidelines on spacing and distancing, and we ask our residents to make decisions in line with their own personal health.

“I remind our members that staff has been under a great deal of stress and have been working under difficult circumstances as well during this unprecedented time,” Schwind said. “We are reopening because we understand our members are ready for us to reopen. But we can reverse these reopenings at any time. Under no circumstances will we tolerate verbal or physical abuse of our staff.”

During this phase: For those members who are comfortable using the facilities, masks are encouraged but not required. Masks will not be provided by the rec centers except to staff who wish to wear them. Staff will increase sanitization sweeps, and residents are advised to wash their hands frequently, avoid congregating and avoid touching shared objects as much as possible. Guests will not be allowed, and members must show their rec cards upon entry to any of the facilities.

“Although staff is taking many precautions to keep the facilities as safe and sanitized as possible, we all know Covid-19 carries serious risks and we must each take our own precautions to keep ourselves safe,” Schwind said. “Those members who simply cannot wait any longer to use the facilities, do so at their own risk knowing that we cannot protect them entirely from this disease.”

The Rec Centers’ plan to reopen is consistent with CDC Guidance, which includes ensuring employees are safe, social distancing is enforced where possible, adequate supplies are available for sanitizing, informational signage is posted, and we are in communication with local first responders. Additionally, per the CDC, should one or more cases of Covid-19 in our facilities come to our attention, we can shut that facility down or further limit activities.

Following is a list of the facilities opening:

Friday, May 22

Palm Ridge and R.H. Johnson outdoor pools will reopen this Friday, May 22, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations will not be required; but if capacity becomes an issue, that may be reconsidered in the future. Bathrooms and outdoor showers will be open, locker rooms will not. The number of chairs have been reduced to enforce 6 feet distancing on the deck; the chairs should not be moved.

Palm Ridge and R.H. Johnson fitness centers will reopen Friday from 6 a.m. 9 p.m. Congregating will not be allowed, and residents will not be allowed to wait near the equipment for it to open. The Rec Centers will provide sanitization supplies for members to use to clean the equipment after using it.

The dog parks will reopen regular hours on Friday. Members should keep their dogs on a leash as they have
been known to carry Covid-19.

Beardsley and Kuentz rec centers, including the pools and fitness centers, will remain closed due to construction and more involved maintenance work at those centers. The Rec Centers also is awaiting backordered sanitization supplies which can be managed with only two centers opened at this time.

Tuesday, May 26

Member Services at R.H. Johnson will be open beginning Tuesday, between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekdays. A limited number of people will be allowed inside at one time. Those with appointments are advised not to arrive more than five minutes early or they may be asked to wait outside. Walk-ins must wait outside until an available slot opens. Those who just need member credit are encouraged to call and put credit on their accounts over the phone. This may also be done at any of the five open golf courses.

Starting Tuesday, the Data Resource Center will open by appointment only. Call 623-544-6644 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to set up a 50-minute appointment. You are encouraged to wear a face mask (not provided). Do not come early before your appointment. We will use the 10 minutes between appointments to sanitize the computer area. The Library currently offers limited curb-side service for materials. Plans are being made to reopen other areas of the library, but the opening date has not been determined.

Box Office will reopen Tuesday, May 26, from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Limited numbers of people will be allowed in at one time, with others being asked to wait outside until they are called in to the Box Office.

Tours and Scheduling is open beginning Tuesday by phone from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 623-544-6032.

Tuesday, June 9

Sports Pavilion (including bowling, billiards and darts) will reopening Tuesday, June 9, with regular hours. There will be no leagues or special events. Every other bowling lane will be used. Bowlers must bring their own equipment.

Although golf is already open, public play will be allowed for golf and bowling only. Rental carts are available at the courses, but no bowling equipment will be rented.

Coming soon

Dates have not yet been determined, but those chartered clubs with designated club rooms who have presented the Activities Manager with a reopening plan will begin opening after June 8, at various times. The clubs will be contacted by the office of the Activities Manager and notified of their reopening date and plan. Social clubs and card clubs will not be opening at this time due to the minimum social distancing requirements. Dance and fitness classes will also be postponed permitting the use of Palm Ridge Summit Halls A&B and the R.H. Johnson Social Hall for use by the Governing Board and staff for meetings and production recordings.

The Village Store is closed at this time. Items currently in the store will have their consignment dates moved into September. But those who wish to pick up their items may call 623-544-6135 between 8 a.m. and noon weekdays if they need to pick up consigned items.