The Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic has been closed since Governor Kim Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency on March 17th, ordering all fitness centers, gyms and health spas to close. Those restrictions are being slowly lifted, effective this Friday, May 1st. Dan Haynes, Executive Director of the Nishna Valley YMCA, says a Re-Opening Task Force was assembled last week, to determine the course of action necessary to re-open certain business safely and within IDHP guidelines.

One of the guidelines requires YMCA visitors to maintain a six-foot separation, which can be a challenge, given the number of workout machines and stations available at the Nishna Valley Y.

(He says they’ve moved some equipment to one of their two gymnasiums, and then taking the mantra of “A Machine in between.)

That means there must be a six-foot separation between users of machines or pieces of equipment. They also expect members and the public to use common sense in sanitizing the machines and equipment.

(He wants you to clean the machinery before and after use. Sanitizing stations will also be available to help you protect yourself and fellow patrons of the YMCA.)

Misting machines are already in use for sanitizing large areas, and will continue to be used by the YMCA staff. The Y itself won’t be open until May 4th. Their pool won’t be open until at least May 18th. The locker rooms will remain closed as well until the order is lifted, but the bathrooms will still be available. YMCA programs will slowly be brought back as conditions warrant. Child Watch and Youth programs will not be available until the Governor approves them.

(He said the 1st week or 2, the building will open for persons 18 or older, only.)

Haynes says they will be closed May 9th and 10th, in order to reevaluate the previous days’ operations and what needs to change or improve. He said they are working closely with health officials to remain in compliance with the guidelines and rules for re-opening Friday, and will continue to do so until restrictions are eased fully.