Returning to Normal - Almost
Friday, May 28th, was an important day for the club. The day the state mandate that all indoor capacity and social distancing restrictions ended. The RAC team is excited about the return to normalcy. While most of our amenities returned to normal, there are a few items that are worth noting.
1. Family Pool
We were surprised that the demand for group and private swim lessons increased substantially over the past several months. Our aquatics programs are bursting at the seams, and we have had to make modifications to the family pool open swim times. The pool will be reserved for member programming during the following times and not open to general member use:
Saturday, June 5th 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday, June 6th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
All Summer:
Monday – Friday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Monday and Wednesday 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Tuesday and Thursday 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
2. Lap Pool
Many lap pool users provided appreciative feedback regarding the lap lane reservation process during the pandemic. For many, it was a positive change in knowing they had a lane when they came to swim. A couple of weeks ago, we sent out a survey to the lap swimmers to determine if they wanted to continue with reservations or eliminate them. The survey results showed that the overwhelming majority of lap swimmers liked the reservation system and did not want it to change. With that said, some members wanted to eliminate the reservation system.
We are trying a hybrid system compromise. Four lanes will be reservable, and one lane (lane 3) will be available on a drop-in/first-come, first-serve basis. We will monitor this compromise over the next month or two. If you make a lap pool reservation and cannot make your reservation, please cancel. Early morning cancellations are also a problem. Please cancel the evening before if possible so that the early morning time slot is available. Thank you to the lap swimmers for helping us with a workable solution for all.
3. Group Fitness
Here are some frequently asked Group Fitness Questions:
Q: Why are Group Fitness classes not available at certain times or the time they used to be held?
A: The Group Fitness Schedule will be returning to “normal” a bit more slowly than many members would like. The Department is smaller now than it was, and the changes that happened to many businesses in 2020 impacted many instructors’ outside-the-RAC schedules permanently. If your favorite class has been moved or changed, it has been done to either fit the instructor’s availability or fill a schedule to offer the most opportunities to members as we can.
Q: Why is the reservation system being kept at this time?
A: We put a lot of thought into keeping or not keeping the reservation system. For now, the decision to keep it was based on a few factors. First, it is a great communication tool. Class cancellations, instructor substitutions, and location changes are now instantly available for members to see as they happen. Second, we are trying to be as prudent as possible in protecting members as we navigate the new lifting of previously mandated restrictions. By having a set maximum participant level per class, members should still feel comfortable exercising in a controlled class setting. Finally, it is very beneficial for instructors to know who is attending their classes. If a class is filled with new attendees, that class experience may differ from a class attended by our long-time Group Fitness users. As we strive to give you the best experience possible, keeping the reservation system in place, for now, is a great way for us to communicate and offer these experiences.
Q: What if I don’t want to make a reservation for Group Fitness?
A: Making a reservation is easy and takes seconds…but if you still don’t want to make one, drop-ins are welcome for classes that are not full. All class size limits are listed on the Group Fitness Schedule. As long as the class is under that maximum number, you are more than welcome to drop in!
