Governor Ducey issued Executive Order 2021-05 on Friday, March 5, 2021 which removed capacity restrictions placed on indoor fitness centers. While this Executive Order removes the 25% capacity restrictions for indoor fitness centers and locker rooms, Arizona Department of Health Services’ (ADHS) requirements for face masks, physical distancing, and enhanced sanitization efforts remain in effect.
In response to the latest Executive Order, RCSC has taken steps to open pool and fitness locker rooms, including changing stalls and lockers. Sanitizer is available in each locker room for Cardholder use to sanitize changing benches and lockers. RCSC staff will sanitize lockers each night. Face masks are required in locker rooms except when showering. While all lockers will be available, Cardholders must adhere to the 6 feet physical distancing requirements when accessing lockers when others are in the area.
Please note, Sundial lockers will remain closed as we work to reconfigure the lock system at this location. The current system requires an exchange of keys between Cardholders and RCSC staff which will be eliminated. Additional communication will be provided when this change has been made and lockers are available at this center.
It is important to note that while there is not an imposed capacity limit within the fitness centers, some equipment is not available due to physical distancing restrictions. Most notably, some cardio equipment continues to be made unavailable due to the close proximity of the equipment and limited ability for reconfiguration.
Walking Pool Mask Change
Effective March 10, 2021 (today) face masks will no longer be required in the walking pools at Bell Center and Fairway Center. These walking pools are outdoors and this change makes the face mask rule the same for all pools and spas.
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Sun City COVID Vaccination Event – March 9-15
UPDATE 3/5/21 – Event Entrance Correction/Clarification. Please note that the Entrance for this event has been changed. Vehicles will be entering the Sundial parking lot from the south entrance from Boswell Blvd. (NOT 103rd Ave as originally indicated). Please refer to the map for details.
Thanks to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and Embry Health, there will be a COVID vaccination event in Sun City starting on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 through Monday, March 15, 2021 at the Sundial Recreation Center parking lot located at 14801 N 103rd Ave, Sun City AZ 85351. Please enter from 103rd Avenue.
This will be a drive through event with accommodation for those without a vehicle or golf cart. Everyone MUST have an appointment! Make your appointment by calling 480-376-2170 or via this link:
https://app.backstagemedical.co/widgets/#/schedule-appointment?
pId=9567&widgetType=allopen&typeId=1527&count=300.
Please pass the word to Sun City residents without computers to call 480-376-2170 to make their appointment for a COVID vaccination.
UPDATE: When calling 480-376- 2170, select OPTION 5 for ANY COVID 19 matters (not only testing). Hold until you get a live person who will ask if have gotten a link and whether you want help making an appointment online OR if you need help making your appointment during the call.
You can also text to this phone number as an alternative by giving your Name, Date of Birth, and description of the issue you need assistance with and they will respond back to you directly
Please note that RCSC is not able to assist with scheduling appointments. You MUST either use the link below or contact this agency via phone.
Scheduling your COVID-19 vaccination appointment
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is working hard to get all available doses of the vaccine to Arizonans at state sites, county sites, medical facilities, and long-term care facilities.
Whether you’re just getting started, or gearing up for your second shot, here are a few things to help you navigate the process.
Schedule your appointment: Find locations and make an appointment at azdhs.gov/findvaccine, or you can call the ADHS vaccine hotline at 480-573-0332 TTY: 711; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Make sure you wait for a representative to help you schedule an appointment.
Download this guide for scheduling your vaccine appointment from ADHS for step-by-step instructions on how to create an account and schedule a vaccine appointment.
Cost: You will be able to get the vaccine for $0.
Appointments are required to be vaccinated at any POD (point of dispensing) site.
COVID Vaccine begins for 75 and older
The following link has information about the vaccine and the appointment procedure. Signups begin on that website at 6 a.m. Monday, January 11.
https://www.maricopa.gov/5651/Phase-1B
There is also a phone number for further information: 602-506-6767.
Diane Snyder will be providing support to Seniors with on-line/phone registration as well as part of the Medical Crew at the Point of Dispensing at Sun City West.
New Gates on Courts 13 & 14
Some Safety Guideline Ideas for Court Play
Good afternoon Sun City Pickleball Club Members,
Isn’t this great weather for pickleball!!!! Wow, the courts are full!! Lots of people coming back for the “winter’! So, let’s continue to be aware of what safety guidelines have been outlined by our RCSC … and, really, simply, “dittoing” good, smart behaviors during this time of Covid! Please continue to follow those guidelines and “smart sense”!
The Marinette court area has much more space to “social distance” and many spaces to “congregate” and “spread out”, the Mountain View court area is, for now, more limited . . . come on renovations! Many people had expressed some concern about how to continue playing safely at Mountain View and following the safety guidelines with so many people and such a small “social area”. Many people shared their ideas with Dan Haberman and me yesterday during play at the Mountain View courts. Such good “thinkers”! There will be a few “reminder” signs put up . . . thank you Lynda Skaggs!
Here are a few of their ideas:
– Please wear a mask when waiting in the “social area” for the next available court(s),
– Try to maintain “social distancing” . . . some ideas related to to this are:
– please consider waiting just outside the main gate if the “social area” is really “packed”!
– please consider using the far end patio area on the “east” side of the courts – there is a really nice space there!
– That system of individually putting up your paddle on the upper fence area while waiting to play does work great!
– Consider playing a little later in the day –
(some people already are “in play” later at both MN and MV – temps are getting better all day!)
Thank goodness all our pickleball courts are “in the open air”!
A few parting thoughts:
This is such an “unprecedented” time with this coronavirus – it is a bit of a challenge to continue playing pickleball (which we treasure) and following the “safety guidelines” set up to help us stay healthy. Such good ideas – please share any further, positive thoughts . . . We, surely, want to keep all the courts open!
Thank you, already, for following the safety guidelines and, thank you, again, for continuing to follow them! Bravo, Sun City Pickleball Club Members . . . Bravo!
For now,
Dave B
PS – Please vote for the new RCSC Board Member – go Karen McAdam!
RCSC Moves into Phase Two of Reopening Plan
From RCSC email
On August 27, 2020, Maricopa County met Moderate Reopening Status in the following three metrics: 1) Cases per 100,000 individuals, 2) Percent positivity, and 3) Hospital Visits for COVID-like illnesses in the region allowing RCSC Fitness Centers to reopen with limited capacity on Friday, August 28, 2020 and Recreation Centers of Sun City, Inc. to move into Phase Two of its reopening plan. The following is the criteria for use of RCSC facilities:
REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF ALL RCSC FACILITIES
Prior to entering RCSC facilities, RCSC has implemented COVID-19 symptom screening with signage. Please read and evaluate whether you meet the criteria to enter RCSC facilities. Anyone with potential symptoms may not enter or use RCSC facilities. High-risk individuals should remain at home.
- Hand sanitizer is required upon entry to all RCSC facilities and offices. Users may utilize the sanitizer provided by RCSC.
- A limited number of users may be permitted at one time, once capacity has been reached you may be asked to return later as no congregating is allowed.
- Face masks are always required while indoors except in showers, indoor pools and indoor spas. Outdoors face masks are required in the walking pool. Face masks are required to be cloth, fabric or other permeable material and must be worn over the mouth and nose, affixed either over the ears or tied around the head.
- Strict 6 feet of physical distancing is required while in the fitness centers, indoor walking track, locker rooms and restrooms regardless if in same family. All other RCSC facilities require a minimum of 6 feet of physical distancing, regardless if in same family, excluding an occasional situation when such is not possible.
- Required to sanitize before and after use of every RCSC piece of equipment, including seating, counters and tables, utilizing the sanitation method provided by RCSC.
- No cash accepted for payment.
PICKLEBALL
- Four players per court (effective 9/1/2020). No use of ball machine(s). No guests allowed.
- Always requires a minimum of 6 feet of physical distancing, regardless if in same family, excluding an occasional situation when such is not possible.
- Limited use of seating, benches, tables and chairs with required 6 feet physical distancing regardless if in same family.
- Cardholders are required to sanitize before and after use of every RCSC piece of equipment, including seating, counters and tables, utilizing the sanitation method provided by RCSC.
Your Sun City AZ Week August 30 to September 6
RCSC Fitness Centers are OPEN!
Read the requirements and protocols that must be followed here! In addition, RCSC will be releasing detailed information very soon as we proceed into Phase Two this coming week. Please stay tuned! Your continued patience and cooperation are much appreciated.
Strict physical distancing, face masks and proper sanitation protocols must be adhered to by all RCSC Cardholders as required. No guests or visitors are allowed on RCSC properties (with the exception of golf courses).
UPDATE! COVID-19 Face Mask Non-compliance Process passed by the RCSC Board of Directors. Read more about it here.
Re-Opening RCSC Fitness Centers
From RCSC email
Yesterday (August 10, 2020), the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) released the Requirements for Indoor Gyms and Fitness Clubs/Centers to re-open. RCSC has been working through the drafted requirements to ensure we meet all necessary requirements to apply for eventual reopening.
In the finalized requirements published yesterday, ADHS added benchmark metrics that will be used to determine phased openings for indoor gyms and fitness centers. These metrics have been provided for all industry leaders and businesses to understand when a general reopening could be considered.
ADHS is allowing reopening to occur based on community transmission rates within the county the facility is located, which for RCSC is Maricopa County. Currently, Maricopa County is in the “substantial transmission phase” which does not allow RCSC to reopen its fitness centers.
Each of the following three benchmark criteria must be met prior to submitting the required ADHS form for reopening and be met for 14 days with a 12-day reporting lag to move from a higher transition phase to a lower one:
- Maricopa County must have fewer than 100 cases per 100,000
- Less than 10% percent positivity
- Hospital visits due to COVID-like illnesses below 10%
You may see some additional activity surrounding RCSC’s safety protocols and mitigation strategies to meet ADHS requirements for an eventual reopening. These include removal of furniture in common areas, sanitization dispensers in locker rooms, and new signage at fitness center entries.
We are continuing to follow guidance from ADHS, the Governor’s Office and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. More information will be provided as the benchmark metrics change and reopening the RCSC fitness centers is possible.
Your help and understanding are important to us!
Finding fitness opportunities
Staying active helps immune system
Sun City resident Roger Riffle gets ready to swat the pickleball back to his opponent during a match at Marinette Center, 9860 W. Union Hills Drive. With fitness centers closed, Sun City residents are trying to find alternatives for their exercise. Pickleball and tennis remain open. [Rusty Bradshaw/Independent Newsmedia]
Sun City residents used to going to the various fitness centers in the community were left to find alternatives when Recreation Centers of Sun City officials closed them last month.
The Sun City fitness center closure came after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order closing certain businesses, including gyms and spas. The closure order was supposed to expire July 27, but the governor extended it indefinitely.
Regular exercise is important, especially for senior citizens, in maintaining a string immune system and keeping the body from degenerating. The lack of exercise is signifi- cantly noticeable, according to resident Gail LaLumiere.
“Without continued exercise it is shocking how quickly it starts to affect an aging body,” she stated in an email.
Read more at yourvalley.net
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