Business as usual at the YMCA A Publication of Edmond Life & Leisure
By Rose Drebes With the exception of capacity, the YMCA of OKC’s programming is available pretty much as usual. “Since reopening on May 4, we’ve seen a steady growth in usage of our facilities and attendance in our programs,” Rachel Klein, the organization’s vice president of communications, said. “We integrated facility space and programs in phases so that we could monitor the safety of each.” As the pandemic started to affect the Oklahoma City area, Klein said the YMCA adjusted its cleaning and disinfecting protocols. After branches were temporarily closed, the organization stepped up its virtual presence. “When we were mandated to close our doors on March 17, we started offering ‘at-home’ activities that included virtual workouts led
by instructors, both for adults and kids; family activities and at-home workouts to do on your own,” she said. These days, it is pretty much business as usual at the YMCA, except in littler settings, Klein said. Summer Day campers are limited to smaller groups or neighborhoods to ensure safety and summer sports have been modified to help prevent any spread of the virus. Group exercise classes are limited and every other piece of equipment in the fitness centers is unavailable to allow for six feet of distance between participants. “We continue to monitor the situation in our community and the surrounding communities and will modify our programs and availability as needed to ensure the health and safety of participants,” she said.
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Fortunately, Klein said, the YMCA has been able to adjust its programs so they are still available this summer. “While each program looks a little different than in months or years past, they are still providing a space for kids and adults to be active, have fun and be involved in a community,” she said. Klein said she believes things will continue to be on the upswing at the YMCA. “As each week passes, we’ve been able to maintain a healthy and safe environment which provides our members peace of mind that the Y is a safe place to be,” she said. “We anticipate participation and usage of our facilities to continue to increase in the coming weeks.” For more information, visit www. ymcaokc.org.
