KINGMAN – The largest gym in Mohave County reopened last Friday, the first day allowed under COVID-19 restrictions that are being relaxed following an eight-week long closure ordered by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Kingman Regional Medical Center welcomes back its 8,000 Wellness Center members with new rules governing use of equipment and workout areas to promote public health and cleanliness.
“We want to follow all of the CDC guidelines and make sure that everyone is safe and that we do this properly,” said Wellness Center Director Alisa Yarbrough. “We want to protect everyone who comes into our gym. Like our Governor said. Stay healthy. Return smarter. Return stronger.”
Staff will ask members general health screening questions about how they are feeling upon entry and they’ll be required to sanitize their hands. Extra wipe and sanitation stands have been placed throughout the repainted facility.
New protocols and gym etiquette will govern member conduct so that proper social distancing and sanitation standards are maintained.
“We will be educating people in these areas and we will have extra staff on duty wiping down equipment. We will require our members to wipe down their equipment before and after each use,” Yarbrough said. “We have taped off every other cardio machine. We have marked off six feet in the weight room. We have moved equipment into the basketball and racquetball areas.”
Basketball, racquetball and group classes will not be available during the initial phase of reopening. The childcare center will be closed, but the pool, spa, weight and cardio areas will be open for use.
Yarbrough said the 40,000 square foot facility can accommodate up to 266 members at any given time to comply with the one person per 150 square foot requirement. She said members will be able to rectify any billing issues they might have.
The Wellness Center will maintain its normal hours of operation; 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends
- Dave Hawkins
