Parks and Recreation

CITY OF BROADVIEW HEIGHTS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE

AS OF 6/5/2020:

WELCOME BACK!

The Broadview Heights Community and Recreation Center 

will be re-opening on Monday, June 22^nd, 2020. 

Temporary Operating Hours:

Monday through Friday: 7am – 8pm

Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 4pm

Customer Service Hours at the new recreation desk:

Monday through Friday: 7am – 8pm

Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 4pm

REVISED RECREATION CENTER INFORMATION AS OF 6/5/2020: (all plans are subject to change)

In an effort to better serve our members, we have altered the new operating protocols and will now be open to MEMBERS ONLY with no fee to reserve a time slot!  More information on memberships and online registration is available below under Memberships and Online Registration.  This system is scheduled to be in place until at least 7/5/2020.  We will continue to evaluate and update protocols as needed.

OPENING: The facility is scheduled to re-open in a limited capacity on Monday, June 22^nd.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are new policies and procedures in place to maintain compliance with the guidelines established by the Ohio Department of Health. In addition to operating within all of the guidelines, our highest priority will be to offer a safe and enjoyable experience for our patrons.  The guidelines we are required to follow are available for review at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/responsible-restart-ohio/Sector-Specific-Operating-Requirements/.

Below are the mandatory protocols set forth by Governor DeWine’s and the Ohio Department of Health in an effort to help stop the spread of Covid-19.  We continue to monitor all information and guidelines and will adjust protocols as required as well as adjust the open/closed status of our various facilities as mandated. All plans are subject to change.  

GENERAL COMMUNITY AND RECREATION CENTER PROTOCOLS:

• We will temporarily operate under a new online registration system.  The functionality of the current protocols will be evaluated weekly and protocols are subject to change as we are able to open more amenities and increase capacity and/or operating hours. 
• During this first phase of re-opening use of the facilities will be limited to MEMBERS ONLY.  Any MEMBER wishing to utilize the available facilities will need to register in-advance online to reserve a time slot.  New members can register for new memberships in-person at the Recreation Desk.  Only new membership sales will be completed in-person.  All membership renewals and registrations will be done online only. 
• Silver Sneaker and other insurance company sponsored patrons will need to register for a timeslot online and then swipe their membership card at entry. 
• An additional Covid-19 waiver has been added to the online registration process. Additional information on the registration process and existing memberships is listed further below.
• If you need assistance with online registration, please contact us during our amended operating hours M-F 7am to 8pm, Sat/Sun 9am-4pm. 
• Due to the strict guidelines we are required to follow and the limited options available to children, use of the facility is temporarily being limited to patrons 15 years of age and up.  
• Required safety and informational signage has been added at the entrance and throughout the building.
• We have installed protective sneeze guards to all desks to protect employees and patrons.
• Floor markings have been added to desks where lines may form to ensure 6 ft. distance between patrons.
• Tables and chairs have been spaced out, closed off &/or removed throughout the facility.
• Masks: will be required for all employees and highly recommended for patrons. 
• All employees and visitors are required to comply with the social distancing policy of maintaining a 6’ distance from others outside of their household unit.
• Employees are conducting daily health assessments (self-evaluation) to determine if they are “fit for duty”.  Sick employees are required to stay home.
• Employees are required to practice good hygiene at all times: hand washing, sanitizing and social distancing.
• General Cleaning: Will be on-going by dedicated custodial staff during all open hours with a thorough cleaning of the entire facility and all equipment nightly. A method of deep cleaning referred to as “Fogging” is being performed nightly.
• We are disinfecting work spaces at the start and end of each shift and as needed. 
• We are disinfecting high touch surfaces more frequently.
• Restrooms will be cleaned and re-stocked every 2 hours.  Special attention will be given to high touch surfaces such as faucets, toilets, doorknobs and light switches.
• Restrooms will be limited to use of the toilets and sinks only.  All showers, the steam room and the sauna will be closed.  Select lockers, that are 6’ apart, will be accessible.  Patrons are encouraged to arrive ready for their facility use and discouraged from utilizing locker rooms/restrooms for changing before and after facility use.
• Water Fountains are required to be closed.  Bottle fillers will be operational.
• There will be no lost and found.  All items left behind will be discarded.
• Loitering or gathering in large groups will NOT be permitted.

What you can do to help reduce the spread of Covid-19: Below are the protocols the public needs to be aware of and follow in order to keep our facility operational.

PATRON PROTOCOLS:

• Patrons will not be permitted to enter the facility until their scheduled starting time. We ask that you please wait outside or in your vehicle until your scheduled start time.
• Patrons will need to enter and exit promptly as scheduled.  An announcement will be made approximately 10 minutes prior to each departure time to please exit the building within the next 10 minutes.
• A health questionnaire is posted at the entryway for all visitors to review prior to entry.
• Do not visit if you are ill. 
• Take your temperature at home prior to visiting.  If it is 100.4 or above, do not enter the building.

• Bring only essential items with you (keys, phone, water bottle, etc.).

• Masks are highly recommended (but not required) for patrons (except when in the pool/spa – no masks can be worn in the water).  It is preferred that patrons bring their own masks but disposable masks will be made available.
• Hand washing or sanitizing is required upon entry.  Patron are asked to maintain good hygiene by hand washing or sanitizing and maintaining social distancing requirements.
• Online Covid-19 waiver must be agreed to during registration.
• No spitting permitted anywhere within the facility.
• All patrons must adhere to social distancing policy of maintaining a 6’ distance from others (outside of their household unit) at all times.
• Handshakes, high-fives, hugs are not permitted.
• Hand sanitizer stations are readily available throughout the facility.
• Patrons must utilize the EPA registered GYM WIPES provided to clean all equipment BEFORE and AFTER use.
• Select chairs and tables throughout the facility have been removed or closed off.  Patrons are not permitted to move any furniture or to utilize furniture that is marked as closed.
• Exercise mats, bands and other equipment that are difficult to disinfect have been removed.  Please bring your own mats and bands for fitness classes.
• Patrons visiting the gym and the pool should utilize the locker rooms adjacent to the pool and patrons using the fitness center should utilize the locker rooms adjacent to fitness.

All visitors must adhere to the posted guidelines, mandates and safety recommendations.  

If there are issues with compliance, visitors may be asked to leave &/or facilities may be closed. 

FACILITIES THAT WILL BE OPENING

(with limited capacity along with the additional policies and procedures for each area)

FITNESS CENTER: 

• The fitness equipment has been spaced out and there are now 3 different areas throughout the building offering fitness equipment (The Fitness Center, Multi-Purpose Room A and Group Exercise Room B).  There is now the required 6’ distance between all machines. 
• Maximum counts:
• Fitness center 45, fitness loft 10, separate stretching room 2.
• Maximum count in Multi-Purpose Room A is 10.
• Maximum count in Group Exercise B is 15.
• All patrons MUST maintain a 6 ft. distance from others (outside of those within their living unit).
• All patrons must use gym wipes to sanitize each machine and any equipment BEFORE and AFTER use. This includes everything you touch (dumbbells, hand weights, kettlebells, benches, bars, etc).
• Additional hand sanitizer stations and gym wipe stations have been placed throughout the facility.
• Exercise mats, bands and other equipment that are difficult to disinfect have been removed.  Please bring your own mats/bands for fitness classes.
• There will be 30-minute time limits on all cardio.
• Fans will not be used anywhere in the facility.  
• No spotting in the fitness center.

TRACK:

• Patrons must register for a fitness or gym time slot in order to use the track. 
• Limited to running only.  Use is limited to a maximum of 4 runners at a time. 
• Runners may use the outside lane for running and the inside lane for passing.  The middle lane should not be used.
• Walkers will be permitted to use the lower level hallways and must comply with social distancing policies.

NATATORIUM:

• Limited areas of the pool will be opening.  
• Masks - The use of cloth face coverings are encouraged, as feasible. Face coverings are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult.  Patrons who are wearing face coverings should not wear them in the water. Cloth face coverings can be difficult to breathe through when wet.
• There is no gathering of groups from different households.
• Patrons should not stand, sit or otherwise block hallways or narrow passageways.
• Patrons are not permitted to move furniture and cannot utilize any furniture marked as closed.
• Areas that will be open include the lap lanes, the leisure area, the lazy river and the spa.  You must register specifically for a lap lane to utilize a lane.
• Area that will be closed include the slide, the basketball hoops, the rock wall, all play features, the steam room and the sauna.  These areas are required to remain closed due to the guidelines from the State. 
• Registration will be available for lap lane use and non-lap lane use.  There is only one person permitted in each lap lane so we will have 4 slots available each hour for lap swimming.
• Maximum count in the spa/hot tub is 4.
• No equipment will be provided.  Sharing of any personal equipment is prohibited.
• Routine disinfection of high-contact surfaces, desks, restrooms, pool ladders, chairs, tables, and all aquatic equipment will be performed by city staff.
• Our annual shut down for cleaning and maintenance was performed during the mandated closure so the natatorium will not be shutting down in August as previously scheduled.
• There will be one staff member, not actively lifeguarding, designated to ensure guidelines are being followed.
• Staff training has been performed to ensure all staff are aware of all safety protocols and as well as our updated emergency action protocols.

GYMNASIUM:

• Limited to use of the basketball hoops in Gyms A/B. 
• Use will be limited to one person per hoop for single player use.  
• You must bring your own basketball and will be required to sanitize your equipment prior to entering the gymnasium and upon leaving the gymnasium. 
• Patrons are not permitted to interact with other patrons outside of their household unit.

PRESCRIPTION FITNESS - PERSONAL TRAINING:  Personal Training will be available when the facility is open.   

MASSAGE ROOM: 

• Available to those registered for a fitness or gym time slot. 
• Users are required to sanitize the chair BEFORE and AFTER use. 
• Limited to a maximum of 20 minutes per use.
• Maximum of 2 patrons permitted in the room at any time.

VENDING MACHINES: 

• Beverage and snack vending machines will be available.
• Patrons are required to sanitize any surface of the vending machine they will/do touch before and after use. Gym wipes will be provided.
• Game Room equipment on the lower level is currently closed.

AREA REMAINING CLOSED FOR THE TIME BEING: Child Watch, Game Room, Meeting Rooms, Multi-Purpose Rooms (not being used for fitness equipment), golf simulator room, group cycling room, and the auxiliary gymnasium.  The only exception for use of any of these facilities will be for department scheduled programs or activities.

All visitors must adhere to the posted guidelines, mandates and safety recommendations.  

If there are issues with compliance, visitors may be asked to leave &/or facilities may be closed. 

MEMBERSHIPS:

• UPDATED: Memberships have all been extended by 120 days (4 months) to make up for the days missed from our closing date of 3/16/2020 through 7/13/2020.  We hope to be able to open under more normal operating protocols by 7/13/2020.  If we are not able to, we will review current conditions and extend memberships out again until we can open fully.  This means that any member coming in between 6/22/2020 and 7/13/2020 is doing so under “free use” and these days are not being counted as membership days. We will continue to extend memberships until we are able to lift some of the guidelines, expand our operating hours and open all facilities to all ages.  

UPDATED - ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM: While the facility is operating under guidelines that restrict the available facilities and require monitoring of maximum capacity, there will be a new online registration system in place which will allow MEMBERS ONLY to reserve a timeslot AT NO CHARGE to utilize the facility. We plan to remove the timeslot registration system as soon as possible.  We will monitor how the system works and will make adjustments as needed.

• Instructions on how to utilize the new registration system will be posted on Monday 6/8/2020 at www.bhrec.org.
• All patrons who wish to utilize the facility during this time will need to use our temporary online registration system to reserve a specific time slot for a specific area within the building. 
• There will be a registration kiosk available in the lobby for those without access to the internet.
• Reservations will be limited to patrons 15 years of age and up.  This restriction will be lifted once we are able to open the gymnasiums to more patrons and/or are permitted to open the play features in the natatorium.
• Patrons will not be permitted to enter the facility until their scheduled starting time. We ask that you please wait outside or in your vehicle until your scheduled start time.
• Patrons must check in at the front desk prior to entering.
• Patrons will need to enter and exit promptly as scheduled.  An announcement will be made approximately 10 minutes prior to each departure time to please exit the building within the next 10 minutes.

Available timeslots:

Monday through Friday: 7am-8am, 8:30am-9:30am, 10am-11am, 11:30am-12:30pm, 1pm-2pm, 2:30pm-3:30pm, 4pm-5pm, 5:30pm-6:30pm, 7pm-8pm.

Saturday/Sunday: 9am-10am, 10:30am-11:30am, 12pm-1pm, 1:30pm-2:30pm, 3pm-4pm.

Current maximum timeslots available per area:

Pool (lap lane): Max 4

Pool (non-lap lane): Max 14

Fitness (between the 3 spaces): Max 55

Gym: Max 7

These max counts may increase based on the success of operating at these counts for a period of time.

INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS, FACILITY RENTALS AND EVENTS:

FACILITY/FIELD/PAVILION RENTALS: New facility rental contracts are not currently being accepted for 2020.  We are awaiting additional guidance on rentals and more information will be released as it becomes available.

GROUP EXERCISE (INCLUDING SILVER SNEAKER CLASSES): Updates on group exercise and Silver Sneaker classes will be posted as they become available.  The Broadview Heights Group Exercise Passes continue to remain “on hold” and pass expirations will be extended by the amount of time we are closed/not providing classes.  We will be working to bring the group exercise and Silver Sneaker classes back, while maintaining compliance will all established guidelines, as soon as possible. We are hoping to resume programming by some point in July.

JAZZERCISE: Will be starting 6/22 or soon after.  Additional information will be forthcoming.

SUMMER CAMP: Given the restrictions listed in the guidelines regarding Day Camps, we have determined that we will not be able to provide the typical enjoyable Summer Day Camp experience that our customers have come to expect.  We have made the difficult decision to cancel the Summer Camp program for 2020.  Refunds have been processed for all registered participants.  

THEATER CAMP: The 2020 Theater Camp provided by Spotlights Theater has been cancelled.

YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL/TEE BALL: We do not feel it is possible to administer these programs while maintaining compliance with all of the established guidelines for baseball/softball. Refunds will be processed for all registered participants.  

TRAVEL BASEBALL/SOFTBALL: In-house program cancelled. Approximately 4 of the in-house travel teams will be permitted to rent fields on a very limited basis and they will be responsible for ensuring all guidelines are being followed.  No other field rentals are being permitted at this time.

ADULT SOFTBALL: We do not feel it is possible to administer these programs while maintaining compliance with all of the established guidelines for baseball/softball.  

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS SUMMER LACROSSE PROGRAM: Has been cancelled.  Refunds will be processed for all registered participants.  

SWIM LESSONS: If you registered for swim lessons that were to take place April through August, you have received a household credit to be used in the future.  If you would like to request a refund instead of a household credit, you can complete the online refund request form at www.bhrec.org under “forms”.

MAYOR ALAI’S 5K AND THE COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST:  These events are currently being postponed and we hope to be able to offer them at a date later than originally planned.

OTHER PROGRAMS/EVENTS: All other programs and events are still currently being postponed until further notice.  We continue to work through the updates and will provide additional information as it is available. 

OUTDOOR FACILITIES

TENNIS COURTS: Re-opened on Tuesday, May 26th.  Guidelines, mandates and safety signage are posted.   All visitors must adhere to the posted guidelines, mandates and safety recommendations.  If there are issues with compliance, visitors may be asked to leave &/or facilities may be closed. Please review the tips and recommendations being provided by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for playing tennis safely prior to visiting the tennis courts: https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/sections/midwest/pdfs/general/18266_USTA_COVID19_PlayingTennisSafely-Poster%20v3.pdf

OUTDOOR PICKLEBALL: Pickleball nets are now available at the outdoor tennis courts and new guidelines for safe play have been posted. Maximum capacity inside the tennis court fencing is 10.  We ask that you consider playing doubles only with those who reside within your household.   All visitors must adhere to the posted guidelines, mandates and safety recommendations.  If there are issues with compliance, visitors may be asked to leave &/or facilities may be closed. Please review the tips and recommendations being provided by the USA Pickleball Association: https://www.usapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-RETURN-TO-PLAY_USAPA.pdf.

PLAYGROUNDS ARE OPEN: While playgrounds are now open, families are asked to follow the guidelines below provided by the Ohio Department of Health and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. 

• PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING – Stay 6’ apart (about 2 arms’ length) and avoid congregating.
• WASH YOUR HANDS OR USE HAND SANITIZER – Bring hand sanitizer and use before entering the playground and immediately after use of playground.
• WEAR A FACE COVERING – If you have one (over age 2).
• FOOD & BEVERAGES – Please do not bring food or beverages to the playground.
• DO NOT ENTER IF YOU ARE SICK OR EXHIBITING ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.

The Parks and Recreation Department will sanitize playgrounds weekly. 

SPLASH PARK: There are no specific guidelines available on splash parks at this time.  Due to concerns that we will not be able maintain adherence to the guidelines that will be put in place, the Splash Park will remain closed for the 2020 season. 

OUTDOOR FACILITIES: City athletic fields and basketball courts remain closed until further notice. 

RESTROOM FACILITIES: A restroom is available at “The Fields” maintenance building M-F when full time staff are scheduled, typically 7:30am to 3:30pm.  There are portable restroom units available at The Fields and Broadview Center.  

WHILE VISITING OUR OUTDOOR FACILITIES, PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Athletic fields and basketball courts are currently closed.
• The ODH is requiring that individuals must at all times or as much as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of 6 feet from any other person with the exception of family or household members.
• All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, with the exception of household or family members.
• Any gatherings of 10 people or more is prohibited.
• Stay home if you are sick and practice good hygiene. Wash your hands after touching surfaces. Avoid touching your face. Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Place garbage in trash receptacles.

Information regarding COVID-19 can be found at the Ohio Department of Health: www.coronavirus.ohio.gov 

We are excited to welcome back patrons to the Broadview Heights Community and Recreation Center.  The safety of our patrons and staff is of the utmost importance.  We continue to monitor all information and guidelines and will adjust protocols as required as well as adjust the open/closed status of our various facilities as mandated.  We are doing everything we can to re-open the facilities and re-start the programs that we can while maintaining compliance with all State and Local guidelines.  All plans are subject to change.  We thank you, in advance, for your patience as we work through this process.  

Please check www.bhrec.org for additional updates which will be posted as soon as the information is available.

Additional questions or comments please email: recinfo@broadview-heights.org.