NormWaitt Sr. YMCA Announcement

Serving Siouxland For Over 130 years.

Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA Opens

​NORM WAITT SR. YMCA TO REOPEN FACILITIES AFTER 77-DAY CLOSURE DUE TO COVID-19 SAFETY CONCERNS
Phased reopening to begin with lap swimming, wellness floor access, summer camp and modified group exercise schedule.  
[SIOUXLAND, May 13, 2020] — After closing its facilities on March 16, 2020 due to health and safety concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19, the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA will reopen its doors on June 1, 2020. The reopening will be conducted under the guidance of state and local health authorities and will take place in phases.    “The Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA has served the Siouxland Community for more than 130 years, during which we have made it through many challenging times together, none perhaps as impactful for our community and our Y as this COVID crisis,” said Rhonda Robson, CEO, Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA. “We are thrilled to begin reopening our facilities, welcoming back our members and the community, and getting back to what we do best – helping everyone reach their full potential. It has been hard on all of us over the last few months, and the Y has worked hard to find ways to strengthen our community through this crisis like offering child care for essential workers, establishing partnerships in order to distribute more than 220,000 meals for our community and creating virtual opportunities, the Y was, is, and will continue to be committed to our Siouxland community.”  
 In preparation for reopening facilities, the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA has been following guidelines from health experts and local officials in all three states to ensure all components of facilities, including fitness equipment and areas, locker rooms, child care, visitor areas and office spaces, are cleaned and sanitized to meet the highest standards for hygiene and safety. The Y has also modified policies and programs to facilitate safe social/physical distancing practices.   “When we closed our facilities in March, we did so to protect the health and well-being of all our staff, volunteers, members and participants. As we now reopen our facilities, we do so with that same commitment to keeping everyone who enters our doors safe,” said Robson.    According to Robson, the first phase of reopening will include: new facility hours, open to Y members only, a mid-day closure for thorough cleaning, access to wellness equipment spread out and will be staffed for frequent cleaning and sanitizing throughout the day, lap swimming only with one person to a lane, a modified group exercise schedule adhering to social distancing recommendations and rigorous cleaning protocol for equipment, swim lessons will be offered with new guidelines for safety and summer camp will begin as planned on June 8th with new policy, procedures and guidelines.     “We are so excited to reopen our facilities to our community. More importantly, however, our Y has always been more than a building. Our Y is about people – people from all backgrounds and walks of life who come together to improve their lives, nurture their families and strengthen their community,” said Robson. “We are so incredibly grateful to the people who have stood by us throughout these challenging times. You were here for your community when it needed it most, and we remain here for you.”   For more information about reopening phases, membership renewal and reactivation and program information, visit www.nwsymca.org.    

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