Community Center Weight Room Reopening Information

September 29, 2020

Dear Fitness Room Participant,

As everyone is aware the Fitness Room at the Harwich Community Center has been closed in accordance with Massachusetts COVID-19 policies and procedures, in conjunction with orders from the Town of Harwich Administration and Board of Health.  The Community Center Staff has greatly missed seeing all the great folks who are wonderful members of the Fitness Center family. Everyone looks forward to the day that people are free to work out in the building again.  To prepare for the reopening we have been addressing the health and safety challenges that face the Fitness Center. Some of the issues we have tackled have been the adjustment of the physical space to meet the required social distancing regulations, assuring proper staffing and meeting sanitation requirements.  The goal of this correspondence is to share information about many of these items.

The Fitness Center will be opening on a Monday through Friday schedule at this time, with day-time hours only.  Also, due to the fact that regulations are still in an ever-changing state, the Fitness Room is beginning with monthly memberships only. These memberships will be sold at the rate of $15.00 per month.  Payment can be made using cash or check only, no credit cards.   People who had yearly or seasonal memberships in FY 19-20 will be issued a credit toward the purchase of the new membership based on their specific past membership.   The fitness equipment has been spaced out within the room to assist with the requirement of a 14’ social distance between people working out. 

Additionally, some equipment has been removed and other equipment has been relocated to other parts of the Community Center to facilitate the 14’ rule. The opening of the Fitness Room will allow for six (6) people to work out by appointment during each of the five (5) sessions that will be offered Monday through Friday. Those wishing to participate must speak to Community Center Staff to reserve their times slot. No reservations can be made by email or voice message.  Fitness session time slots will be offered at 6am, 8am, 10am, 12pm, and 2pm, and will last for 1.5 hours each. Participants may only sign up for sessions five days in advance of the desired time slot.  Please note that the locker rooms will not be open at this time and participants must exit the building immediately at the conclusion of their workout session.  This will allow for staff to disinfect the room prior to the next scheduled workout session.   Participants must show ID each time they enter the Facility, they must wear masks, and are required to thoroughly disinfect any equipment they use. 

Starting September 29, 2020, individuals can begin to register and reserve a time slot for the Fitness Room use.  The Fitness Room will official open by appointment on Monday, October 5, 2020.

With the implementation of these COVID-19 requirements, each person wishing to participate will be required to sign an agreement to the policies and procedures that are newly established. In depth policies are available at the Community Center front desk if you would like to review them prior to making your individual decision.   I realize that it will not feel like, or be like, the old times for a bit, and I understand if these regulations are not something that everyone will want to comply with, causing some people to hold off on coming back at this time.   In that case please keep watching the Harwich Community Center’s web site for any changes and developments as they occur.   The Fitness Room will continue to progress and evolve as the Covid-19 situation changes.

Regards,

Carolyn Carey                                                                                                                                                            Director, Harwich Community Center