YMCA of Metro Atlanta sets reopening dates for local branches

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta plans to incrementally reopen 19 of its 24 facilities across the region with limited operations and new coronavirus precautions.

The Y closed its locations across metro Atlanta in mid-March when coronavirus began to spread in Georgia.

The first group of YMCA locations to reopen will resume limited operations on May 15. From May 15 to May 18, only the wellness space — the gym — will be open for individual exercise. On May 18, lap swim, group exercise and select tennis facilities will be open, but only available for use with an online reservation.

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The first group of reopenings includes locations in Buckhead, East Lake, Kennesaw, Marietta, Peachtree Corners, Newnan and Covington.

The reopening plan only applies to the branch locations and does not include the Atlanta Teen Center, Camp High Harbour at Lake Allatoona, Camp High Harbour at Lake Burton, Cherokee Outdoor and the Leadership and Learning Center. Day camps are expected to open June 1.

Each facility that reopens will implement new protocols including temperature checks, frequent surface disinfection and requiring masks. Social distancing will be required and enforced by trained staff. Entrances and exits will be one-way and there will be designated foot traffic patterns to move about the facilities. Exercise equipment will also be positioned to provide the six-foot distance between people recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The organization will also be limiting the amount of people in its facilities. Each building will only allow 25% of its full capacity at a time, and each member can stay for a maximum of one hour. Staff will wear masks at all times and members must wear masks when they enter the building and when they are in common areas.

The next two groups of facilities will open May 25 and June 1 and follow the same plan.

The organization will consider opening facilities other than gyms and pools in “mid-June,” with additional phases in July and August.

The YMCA of Greater Atlanta aims to slowly return to operations as they were before the coronavirus pandemic with this phased reopening plan, the organization said in a release.

“The health and safety or our Y members, staff and community remains our top priority,” said Lauren Koontz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, in the release. “The way we will interact with each other will be different, but what will not change is our members’ ability to connect with others while improving their wellness.”

YMCA of Metro Atlanta reopening schedule

May 15

May 25

June 1