Chatham County’s YMCA, located in Suite 412 at 287 East Street in Pittsboro, re-opened Wednesday. The CN+R spoke with Executive Director Jessica Mashburn about what members need to know.
Mashburn moved to Chatham County in 2001 and has three adult children and her first grandchild on the way. She’s worked with the Y since 2009 and also serves the Ingram YMCA in Lee County.
“After almost six months, we can’t wait to see our members back in our YMCAs,” she said.
How has the Y been preparing?
Since suspending our operations in March, the Y has been meticulously preparing to resume full facility operations when able with the health and safety of our staff and members top of mind.
That planning helped us safely serve hundreds of children, adults and families at our Y’s over the summer — through modified outside group fitness classes and most recently in our Scholastic Support Centers.
What are your operating plans?
We’re confident in our ability to safely welcome members back in our facility, starting Sept. 16. We will be open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. We’re closing during the afternoon will allow us to clean the facility prior to welcoming our late afternoon/evening members. We will not be utilizing our group exercise studio, but will continue with the current outdoor group exercise class offerings.
What have you been able to do during the pandemic shutdown?
Work certainly hasn’t slowed down for me, but like many I spent the majority of the last six months working remotely. It has been a big adjustment going from working with the public to only seeing people (other than immediate family) via Zoom meetings. I look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new ones.
What can members expect?
First, we’ll continue to follow all the health and safety protocols per the CDC and our state already in place at all our Y’s. These include practicing the three W’s (most importantly, wearing a mask), social distancing practices, screening before entry, deep and ongoing cleaning during the day and after hours and having readily-available hand sanitizing stations and equipment cleaning supplies in our branches.
Due to local and state guidelines, we’re not able to offer all of our amenities immediately — for example, our showers will be closed and we will not be issuing lockers.
You can visit our website to see the full information what members can expect — and just as important — what members can do in partnership with us to help keep our Y and the community healthy. It’s available at ymcatriangle.org/resuming-operations.
What can people bring from home?
A workout towel, a water bottle and most importantly — their mask.