The Knox County YMCA will reopen their locations this Friday after 100 days of being closed to the public.
Visitors will be asked to follow social distancing guidelines or wear a face-covering in common areas. Masks are not required while working out though.
Knox County Y CEO Adam Sampson says for 154 years the YMCA has served this community but he says perhaps few periods have been as impactful as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health clubs and gyms were able to open with capacity limits under Phase 3, which gyms like Planet Fitness did.
The Y didn’t though, with Sampson saying they were continuing to focus on serving the community with things like providing essential worker’s childcare, connecting with seniors, and delivering meals to those in need.
The Y has offered outdoor group fitness classes, throughout Phase 3, which Sampson calls a “huge success.”
They also have had one-on-one personal training and limited lane swimming.
Guidelines for the YMCA steam room, saunas, and open swim in the Vitale Pool will be forthcoming.
Summer Adventures Day Camp, tumbling, and soccer programs are also beginning. Detailed cleaning and sanitization procedures are available on the YMCA website.
The Y is also waiving the $39 join fee starting this Friday going through July 5.
Sampson says the Y has “always been more than a building”. He says the Y is about people from all backgrounds and walks of life who come together to improve their lives.”
