Supporting You Safely: Clean. Welcoming. Together.
WESTPORT, CT, 12/28/2020 – After six months since re-opening, YMCAs of Connecticut report that they have had over 658,000 visits at 43 locations across the state. Each visit is perhaps a chance that someone who is positive for COVID-19 will enter a facility. Over this period, just 42 individuals statewide have reported that they have tested positive and, after contact tracing, no cases have originated at a Y. 42 positive cases, 658,000 visits reflect a .00638% positivity rate.
“Our team has worked diligently to be good stewards of community health by providing vital community services and clean and safe environments. Member safety is our top priority and the Y is clean, safe, and in full compliance with all DECD and public health guidelines. These results speak for themselves, Ys are safe,” says Pat Riemersma, CEO.
On June 17th, when Phase 2 went into effect, Y’s re-opened cleaner than ever and having created new safety measures to protect employees and visitors. These included enhanced employee training, new cleaning equipment & systems, adding reservation software systems, re-organizing exercise spaces & spreading equipment, adding entry health check procedures and developing contingency procedures for potential positive cases at the Y.
“When it’s determined that a member or employee tests positive or has been in close contact with a positive case, our detailed action plan ensures individual quarantine and contact tracing to ensure that there is limited or no spread of the virus,” says Pat Riemersma, CEO. “The fact that COVID-19 has not spread at any of our gym facilities is proof positive that our protocols and procedures are working.”
For over 168 years, Connecticut YMCAs have been a mainstay of support through thick and thin, including service through the 1918 Spanish Flu. Our current crisis has proven the value of our deep roots and long-standing relationships we’ve fostered over the decades. Embedded in communities throughout the state, our Ys have connections with community, church, and local business leaders who are eager to provide partnership and resources. This allowed our Ys, to pivot to provide essential services with unique efficiency.
In the days and weeks following gym closings on March 16th, Connecticut YMCAs stayed busy. Ys served 454 children at 26 emergency childcare locations, served 2,452 meals at 12 locations, hosted 20 blood drives at 11 locations, made and delivered 1,550 masks and distributed 1,400 diapers. In addition, Y’s provided virtual program for 7,500 youth, 27,800 fitness participants and 12,600 seniors. With the help of the PPP loan program, this time was also spent cleaning, updating, adding technology, ordering new equipment & supplies and planning for re-opening.
“We are proud of our ability to adapt to our community’s needs and provide service in new ways,” says Pat Riemersma, CEO. To support families during the pandemic since March, the Westport Weston Family YMCA has offered hybrid learning camp programs to support working parents.
At the Westport Weston Family YMCA, located at 14 Allen Raymond Lane, Westport, CT 06880, members have access to the following amenities:
- Access to a full service Wellness Center by reservation
- Lap lane swimming by reservation
- Group fitness classes onsite and virtually
- Personal training onsite and virtually
- MX4 Small group fitness training
To start the New Year, the Westport Weston Family YMCA is offering new members who join between January 1-31, 20121, a Wellness Kickstarter!
New Members can choose one of the following Kickstarter programs included with their membership:
- Kickstarter Option 1: One 60-minute personal training session
- Kickstarter Option 2: Free Nutritional Counseling Session
- Kickstarter Option 3: One free MX4 Small Group Training session
- Kickstarter Option 4: One free Group Fitness Personal Training (ex. Yoga or Pilates)
- Kickstarter Option 5: One free Semi-Private Personal Training session
For more information and to sign up for a YMCA membership, Contact Brian Marazzi, bmarazzi@westporty.org, call 203-226-8981 or visit www.westporty.org.
