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A MESSAGE FROM THE GREATER MIDLAND FAMILY,

For the past 100 years, Greater Midland has been a place of connection.  While our world has changed, our mission to ensure every Midland County resident is healthy, stable and thriving has not. 

In line with the updated recommendations from the CDC, Governor Whitmer, the MDHHS, and in good faith with MIOSHA standards, Greater Midland has updated their mask policy:

Fully Vaccinated* & Unvaccinated Members and Guests:

Regardless of vaccine status masks are highly recommended when inside our centers.

*Fully vaccinated refers to individuals two weeks past their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson.

As our facilities, programs and services reopen and resume, our team is hard at work prepping our facility to help keep our members, staff and community as safe as possible.  These safety precautions were developed with the help of local and state health officials as well as industry experts.

These measures include, but are not limited to:

• Recommending face coverings for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals

• Strongly encouraging members to book exercise and equipment times using our new reservation program. BOOK A WORKOUT TIME. Guests can access the facility on a drop-in basis.

• Continuing a strict sanitation schedule for all of facilities.

• Updating building hours to ensure the facility can be properly cleaned.

As always, we appreciate you - our members and your help in upholding our values of living with integrity, building a positive atmosphere, and listening and responding

Check Current Hours & Services HERE

Our wellness facilities will be available for both members and guests.

Only members will be able to access our “Book A Workout” portal to guarantee their preferred work out time. Guests are allowed on a drop-in basis given availability.

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YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Greater Midland Community Center, North-End, Premier & Tennis Center Members

We are thrilled to welcome our members home! Membership draws will continue on their regular draw schedules.

We have established new procedures for checking in at our facilities and program sites.

These include:

• Barriers installed to protect staff and patrons.

• Members will be able to access the card scanner to check in.

• There will be markers on the floor to encourage social distancing.

• Only the Second and Fourth work stations will be used. An additional kiosk, will be added if needed.

• Registrations for memberships, childcare, and programs will be encouraged online or by phone whenever possible. 

• Onsite payment options will be limited.

See the chart below for our latest hours and availability. As always, we encourage you to book your workout ahead of time at greatermidland.org/book-workout. This will guarantee your preferred time and help maintain social distancing.

Don't forget to check out our Virtual Wellness Option too!

How did you make decisions about your safety protocols?

With guidance from health officials, government leaders, and the CDC. Our plan outlines our COVID-19 mitigation strategies, representing research and many thoughtful, informed discussions about how best to resume operations and safely serve members and program participants.

Why are you not reopening all facilities and programs?

The safety and well-being of our staff, members, volunteers and guests is always our top priority. As a community organization, it is our social responsibility to do our part in the face of this unprecedented health emergency.

We serve many different populations including our community’s most vulnerable and we are choosing to open in a phased approach.

With reduced hours, how will the Community Center make sure the facility does not become crowded?

The facility will abide by capacity requirements set by the Michigan Department of Heath and Human Services. We will be limiting the number of people in our buildings and in our individual classes. Cardio and strength equipment on the wellness floor is properly spaced or designated out of-use to ensure social distancing guidelines are met. Group exercise classes have designated spacing spots to keep members six feet apart.

Will I need to make a reservation?

Yes, due to social distancing requirements, facility capacity and class size will be limited. Reservations will be strongly encouraged for the following:

• Access to the Wellness Facility

• Lap Swim

Instructions for how to make reservations posted on our website. BOOK A WORKOUT

Do I have to be a member or program participant?

Members, program participants, and guests will be able to access the facility during our initial reopening. However, only active members will be able to access our “Book A Workout” portal to guarantee their preferred work out time. Guests are allowed on a drop-in basis given availability.

Do I need to bring my own workout equipment like a mat for yoga?

We encourage you to bring your own, but will provide sanitized equipment for your use.

What happens if I do not want to follow these safety protocols?

Members and participants who fail to comply with new policies and procedures are putting others at risk and will be asked to leave. Refusal to comply with these protocols may result in membership and participation suspension and ultimately termination.

What safety protocols are employees required to follow?

• Staff who have a fever or are not feeling well are told to stay at home.

• Every employee must wear face masks while in the facility.   

• All staff will be required to practice proper social distancing while at work.

• Hand sanitizing stations and disinfectant wipes for equipment will be provided throughout the facility.

• We also encourage our employees to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.

• Cleaning is a major component of all staff job duties.

• All staff will be required to clean and disinfect surfaces often.

Why can’t you turn on the fans?

Research suggests fans can blow around COVID-19-infected droplets in the air. Out of an abundance of caution, we are only turning on fans with upward airflow as recommended by the CDC.

Will it be safe for me to return if I am considered to be in a vulnerable population?

While we are doing our part to ensure the safety of everyone in our facilities, the CDC says older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. It is recommended they stay home and away from other people as much as possible.

Are there any options for members who do not yet feel safe to return to the facility?

Online workouts and other virtual services are available to members. LEARN MORE We will also continue to host some outdoor events and programs.

Will locker rooms be available?

Yes, please observe social distancing requirements inside locker rooms. There are also new processes for locker room and shower use including:

Lockers:  We are limiting the availability of public lockers in order to ensure adequate cleaning and disinfecting. Lockers will be cleaned inside and out.

Showers & Towel Service: Showers will be available for limited use and social distancing must be followed. Towel service suspended at this time. Members are encouraged to bring their own towel and other necessities.

Only water bottle filling will be available on drinking fountains.

Can I place my membership on hold?

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. While we understand you may feel the need to place your membership on hold, we are encouraging all members to stay engaged with Greater Midland in order to support our community efforts, including basic needs support.

We will of course honor and respect all requests to hold memberships.

As with all exercise and activity at this time, swimming must comply with standards for social distancing and safety within aquatic facilities. We know, with collaboration between USA Swimming, public health officials, and facility operators we can create safe plans for using aquatic facilities to promote physical and mental health opportunities compliant with public health directives. The CDC has indicated that there is no evidence the disease spreads through treated water. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.

FACILITY, LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Remember! Face masks are recommended for everyone while inside our building.

• The Executive Director, Facility Director and Aquatics Lead will follow the current guidelines and make adjustments as needed based on the recommendations of the Health Department for the reopening of the pools. 

• Staff need to follow the Greater Midland return to work guidelines.

Mitigating Hazards:

• Hot tubs, steam room and saunas will remain closed at this time to help eliminate use of low ventilated spaces and rooms that prevent social distancing.

• Closed areas will be clearly marked that they are not in use.

• Increase water sanitation level - As example keep chlorine closer to 2.0 PPM

• Create visible markers on the floor to indicate appropriate spacing on the pool deck, entrances, etc. Plan building considerations:

  • Bathrooms and shower areas sanitized throughout the day, with a deep clean after operating hours.

  • Adhere to 6 foot distancing in locker room areas.

Safe Practices/PPE Recommendations:

Participants, who begin to cough/sneeze for any reason, must move away from others until coughing/sneezing dissipates.

Participants should change clothes and shower at home if possible.

PREPARING TO SWIM:

• Wash your hands with a disinfectant soap and water (for 20 seconds or longer) or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available, before going to the pool.

• Do not share equipment.

• Bring a full water bottle.

• If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve/arm area.

• Arrive as close as possible to when activity begins.

• Avoid touching gates, fences, benches, etc. if you can.

• Do not attend practice if you or a member of your household does not feel well.

WHEN SWIMMING:

• Follow directions for spacing and stay at least six feet apart from others.

• Do not make physical contact with others, such as shaking hands or giving a high five.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Avoid sharing food, drinks, or towels.

• Maintain appropriate social distancing from other participants when taking a break.

• Wear your suit to and from practice.

AFTER SWIMMING:

• Wash your hands thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer after leaving the pool.

• Limited use of showers, shower at home when possible.

• When possible, wear your suit to and from pool.