The YMCA of Sequim and YMCA of Port Angeles re-opened their fitness facilities on Jan. 18 after being closed since mid-November.
The facilities re-opened following the new Phase 1 “Healthy Washington” guidelines.
“We are so excited to re-open our fitness facilities to our communities,” Olympic Peninsula YMCA CEO Wendy Bart said.
“We are focused on re-opening with care by putting health and safety as top priorities, and providing programs and services with as much continuity and consistency as possible for our members going forward.”
New public health guidelines mean some new changes for members when they return, YMCA officials note. All members are required to wear masks while inside YMCA facilities, including during exercise.
The weight rooms at both YMCAs re-opened with capacity limitations of 500 square feet per member in each room.
A portion of the YMCA of Sequim gymnasium has re-opened with cardio machines, and the lap pool and shallow pool remain open for aquatic activities.
Reservations are required to use YMCA fitness facilities at both branches. Reservations can be made online at olympicpeninsulaymca.org/reservations.
Both YMCA facilities are open 6 a.m.-1 p.m., closed from 1-3 p.m. for cleaning, and open again from 3-8 p.m.. On Saturdays, the facilities are open from 8 a.m.-noon, and closed on Sundays for deep cleaning and sanitizing.
There will be no in-person group exercise classes at this time, YMCA officials said, but virtual exercise classes are provided on a weekly basis.
New program, more info
The peninsula YMCA facilities are offering Wellness 101, an eight-week program that kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 26, and aims to help improve individuals’ physical and mental health by teaching participants healthy habits on a weekly basis.
A Boxing for Parkinson’s program also is being offered at the YMCA of Sequim, with a goal of helping individuals with the disease build muscle and strength using boxing techniques.
“We hope these new programs will help more people in the community who are just starting out on their health and wellness journeys,” Bart said.
For more information about the Y’s re-opening, visit olympicpeninsulaymca.org/reopening.
For program and membership information, call the YMCA of Sequim at 360-477-4381 and the YMCA of Port Angeles at 360-452-9244.
For other inquiries, contact Erin Hawkins, marketing and communications coordinator for the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, at erin@olympicpeninsulaymca.org or 360-452-9244 ext. 896.
Terry Ward, publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum, serves on the Olympic Peninsula YMCA board of directors.
