Greetings!
I’m writing to you with great news! On May 23rd, Colorado Public Health granted a request for variance in Larimer County. This variance gives us the go ahead to open the gym! There are some pretty specific requirements, but all in all, I think it will allow us to operate fairly normally.
One great thing about working out at a small gym is that it is never packed. The variance mandates 6 feet of social distancing and it allows us to operate at 50% capacity based on the fire code. This means that we can never have more than 50 people in the building. You know that this is never a problem for us in the first place. We do not anticipate requiring sign-up times, we do not anticipate having to have people “wait their turn” or “come back later.” We do anticipate being able to provide a safe, uncrowded space for you to return to your workouts.
Here are a few changes:
- The equipment will be repositioned to allow for at least 6 feet of space between people working out.
- We will utilize the group fitness room for workout space since it still isn’t safe to resume closed space group fitness classes.
- The variance does not require masks while working out, but they must be worn coming into the gym.
- We will take temperatures and have people sign in.
- We will have slightly shorter hours as the variance requires staff to be on site at all times.
- We will have staff working to help keep everything clean and sanitized.
- We cannot provide sweat or workout towels.
- For now, showers must remain closed, but locker rooms are available for changing and restrooms.
- All participants must clean their equipment after use.
With all this in mind, we will open the gym to all gym members beginning June 1st! Gym hours will be 6am-7pm Monday-Friday, 8am-1pm Saturday and Closed on Sunday. If you would like to use the gym outside of these hours please see myself or the staff. We expect to extend these hours as soon as the state allows gyms to resume unstaffed hours. Gym memberships were frozen for the month of May, but your gym payment will resume on your regularly scheduled day in June.
If you have borrowed gym equipment, we will need you to return it so that it can be cleaned and sanitized before June 1st. Please do so at your earliest convenience this Tuesday-Friday May 26th-29th 8am-7pm.
We sincerely appreciate your support. We wouldn’t still be here without you. So many people reached out to tell us how important the gym is to them, we occasionally opened an envelope with a check and a note saying, “So you’re still here after all this is over.” Know that every bit of encouragement was much needed and well received. We know we have the best members! We are praying that this variance is a good balance between on the one hand, economic stability and improved mental and physical health and on the other caution and prudence.
In good health and see you soon!
Josh, Kristin and the Team at Old Town Athletic Club