Olympic Peninsula YMCAs close

By Michael Dashiell • March 17, 2020 3:00 pm
Linda Flores of Port Angeles, left, and Mary Farley of Sequim cycle at the YMCA of Sequim during a workout with the Exercise and Thrive program. The three Olympic Peninsula YMCA facilities are closing through March 31. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash
Linda Flores of Port Angeles, left, and Mary Farley of Sequim cycle at the YMCA of Sequim during a workout with the Exercise and Thrive program. The three Olympic Peninsula YMCA facilities are closing through March 31. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash

Following Gov. Jay Inslee’s mandate that all recreational facilities in the state of Washington close to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the region, all Olympic Peninsula YMCA locations as of March 17 and will be closed through at least March 31.

The YMCA has three facilities: the YMCA of Sequim, YMCA of Port Angeles and YMCA of Jefferson County.

All classes, programs, and events have been postponed or cancelled.

YMCA facilities will continue to host full-day childcare services to families in need during school closures at licensed childcare sites at Salish Coast Elementary School in Port Townsend and Dry Creek Elementary School in Port Angeles.

Childcare runs 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday; the program will put a priority on serving children whose parents are first responders or medical professionals. The YMCA childcare program at Salish Coast serves 44 children with a capacity to serve 75, and the Dry Creek program currently serves 32 children with a capacity to serve 60 children.

“We will continue to conduct daily health screenings of each child and staff member, keeping group sizes as small as possible, and regular cleaning of the program space and equipment,” YMCA officials said in a press release this week.

“We understand closing our facilities is an inconvenience for our members, program participants, staff, and the communities in which we serve, but we feel it is a necessary precaution for the health and safety of everyone,” YMCA officials said.

“Now more than ever, the Y is working hard to maintain the programs and services our community relies on to provide and meet emerging needs as they arise.”

Keeping clean

Over the last month, YMCA staffers have increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures at facilities and have been cleaning surfaces frequently touched by members more often, such as door handles, hand rails and exercise equipment, YMCA officials said this week.

“Our cleaning materials have been well-stocked for several weeks so staff and members can wipe down exercise equipment at all times,” they said.

“Additionally, we have been encouraging staff, members, and program participants to do their part in helping prevent the spread of germs and viruses while at our facilities.

“In the coming weeks, will keep all members, program participants, parents, and our communities updated with information as it develops regarding the status of our facilities.”

For more information, contact Erin Hawkins, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, at erin@olympicpeninsulaymca.org or 360-452-9244 ext. 896.