Weekly Update from the CEO
May 22, 2020At the start of this week, Governor Charlie Baker announced his administration’s long-awaited plan for Reopening Massachusetts. The plan is a four-phase approach for reopening businesses and organizations, and it relies on public health metrics to determine how Massachusetts moves through the phases. Massachusetts is currently in Phase 1 of the plan, which consists of the continuation of Essential Services and allows the reopening of low-risk businesses and industries with specific restrictions and guidelines. Gyms and fitness centers are currently included in Phase 3 of the Baker-Polito Administration’s plan.
You can learn more about the Baker-Polito Administration’s “Reopening Massachusetts” plan and all four of its phases at Mass.gov.
West Suburban YMCA Reopening Plan: Health & Safety is our Top Priority
Similar to the “Reopening Massachusetts” four-phase plan, the Y’s Reopening Advisory Task Force has been creating a reopening strategy that will occur in several groupings, or “tiers” as we have chosen to refer to them. Our reopening strategy is based on guidance from many resources, including, but not limited to, the CDC, state and local DPH, and the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs. Being that we are in Phase 3 of Baker’s plan, our strategy is fluid and designed to evolve as new information becomes available. We hope to provide more details in the coming weeks once we have a specific reopening date for the Y, determined by our own facility’s preparedness and the state’s Phase 3 regulations.
Similar to the “Reopening Massachusetts” four-phase plan, the Y’s Reopening Advisory Task Force has been creating a reopening strategy that will occur in several groupings, or “tiers” as we have chosen to refer to them. Our reopening strategy is based on guidance from many resources, including, but not limited to, the CDC, state and local DPH, and the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs. Being that we are in Phase 3 of Baker’s plan, our strategy is fluid and designed to evolve as new information becomes available. We hope to provide more details in the coming weeks once we have a specific reopening date for the Y, determined by our own facility’s preparedness and the state’s Phase 3 regulations.
Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces
What we can tell you right now is that the Y may look and feel quite different upon our reopening. At a minimum, the West Suburban YMCA will abide by the new Workplace Safety Standards developed by the Department of Public Health and the state’s COVID-19 Command Center. Businesses are required to adhere to a set of specific safety protocols and guidelines related to social distancing, hygiene, cleaning/disinfecting, and staffing/operations. These protocols are in the best interest of the greater community and put the health and safety of our staff and members first.
What we can tell you right now is that the Y may look and feel quite different upon our reopening. At a minimum, the West Suburban YMCA will abide by the new Workplace Safety Standards developed by the Department of Public Health and the state’s COVID-19 Command Center. Businesses are required to adhere to a set of specific safety protocols and guidelines related to social distancing, hygiene, cleaning/disinfecting, and staffing/operations. These protocols are in the best interest of the greater community and put the health and safety of our staff and members first.
What About Summer Camp?
In a somewhat surprising move, summer day camps are listed in Phase 2 of the governor’s Reopening Massachusetts plan. This is exciting news for the West Suburban YMCA’s Camp Pikati and Camp Chickami. As is customary now, we await further guidance from the state and DPH regarding regulations and restrictions for camp operations. We’ve been preparing for multiple scenarios and know that summer camp will be more essential this year than ever before.
In a somewhat surprising move, summer day camps are listed in Phase 2 of the governor’s Reopening Massachusetts plan. This is exciting news for the West Suburban YMCA’s Camp Pikati and Camp Chickami. As is customary now, we await further guidance from the state and DPH regarding regulations and restrictions for camp operations. We’ve been preparing for multiple scenarios and know that summer camp will be more essential this year than ever before.
Sadly, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the YMCA Camp Frank A. Day 2020 season. Although the governor's plan lists residential camps in Phase 3, after much deliberation we concluded that we can not run a safe and successful residential camp this summer. For more information about this decision, please read Camp Frank A. Day Director Stephan Lockney's letter to families.
A Brief Look at Our Survey
Thank you once again to everyone who took the time to fill out our Reopening Survey. At its closing, we had 1,197 responses. We are currently looking at the data and categorizing all comments so we can best utilize your responses. Safety and hygiene, getting back into a fitness routine, pool and locker room concerns, and virtual fitness options are just a few of the recurring themes that we’ve identified, and we look forward to sharing an overview of survey feedback soon.
The West Suburban YMCA moves into the holiday weekend in good spirits as we look ahead to our eventually reopening. We are excited to open our doors again and continue serving our community.
Please have a healthy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!
Jack Fucci
President and CEO
WEST SUBURBAN YMCA