Safety Protocols
Learn more about our safety protocols and what to expect when you visit the Y.
The Y is partnering with IMMY Labs to host vaccination and testing pods at three of our locations. Vaccinations and tests are free to the public but appointments are required. Book your appointment online.
Protocol Updates 5.21.21
As local and national health guidelines change, the YMCA of Oklahoma City will continue to put the safety of our employees and members first. We are still taking extra precautions, and have updated new guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all those who choose to use our facilities and for our staff.
We understand this continues to be difficult time for many and has put a strain on individual finances. We will continue to be here to help. If you are experiencing a hardship, we encourage you to apply for financial assistance, so that you can continue to use our facilities and stay healthy.
Thank you again for staying with us.
Member Updates
Read past member newsletters with information about our operations before, during and after our temporary closure due to COVID-19.
Welcome Back!
4.29.20
We are excited to announce that most YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City locations will reopen on May 4 with some restrictions. Our staff has been hard at work preparing for your return.
While we are looking forward to opening our doors again, we do not do so lightly. We are taking extra precautions, and we’ve implemented new guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all those who choose to use our facilities and for our staff. Additionally, all members will be required to complete a waiver upon their first visit. You can view, print and sign the waiver and bring with you, or you can sign at our facilities.
We will adjust our guidelines and facility usage when it is safe to do so. We will continue to follow the guidance of federal, state and local health and government officials to ensure we continue to be the safest place to workout.
This has been a difficult time for many and has put a strain on individual finances. We get it and we are here to help. If you are experiencing a hardship, we encourage you to apply for financial assistance, so that you can continue to use our facilities and stay healthy.
Thank you again for staying with us. We are excited to welcome you back and can’t wait to see you.
A Letter from Our President
April 24, 2020
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate this difficult time in our Y’s history. Your commitment to the Y is felt throughout the organization and translates to our ability to serve our community, not only during this critical time, but every day.
Our world has changed. Our community has changed. And our Y has changed. Although our mission remains the same, our Y looks a little different and will operate a little differently when we are able to reopen. And that’s okay. One thing remains certain, our YMCA is, and always will be, here for you, our members, and our community. Together, we will adjust our way of doing business, interacting with members and assisting in our community. We will uphold the Y standard to create a safe and healthy environment and be there for those who needs us.
As we move forward, there are still many unanswered questions. However, we do expect to reopen soon and we are working diligently on our reopening plan, with the guidance of state, federal and local health and government officials, to ensure our facilities and programs are safe for you and our staff. Additionally, we know we will host Summer Day Camp and overnight camp at YMCA Camp Classen, but we are still evaluating the start dates.
Below you will find more information about plans for upcoming live virtual group exercise classes, resources for emotional and mental well-being and other information about Y programs.
As things remain uncertain, we know you will have questions and we are here to answer them. Please contact us with your questions and concerns and a member of our staff will get back with you.
For up-to-date information about facility openings and new policies and procedures, please continue to visit our website and Facebook pages.
We are excited and looking forward to the day that we can see our members and welcome you back to your Y.
Sincerely,
Kelly Kay
President & CEO
YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City
The Emergency Childcare program is no longer offered, but remains here as an archive of our COVID-19 response. We have shifted all childcare to regularly scheduled programming.
The YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City is offering daily, weekday childcare, beginning Monday, March 23, to parents who work in healthcare, first-responders, core services and the Oklahoma Health Department who are required to report to work and do not have access to other care. This service is in place to assist during this community crisis and is a temporary function of the YMCA.
NOTICE:
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March 17, 2020
As an organization that takes pride in bringing the community together, this decision has been very difficult, but these are unprecedented times. In order to support community efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of all those we serve, especially those at most risk, we’ve made the decision to temporarily close all of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City locations effective at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Until then, branches will be open for facility access and basic services. All group exercise classes, Child Watch and other programs and services are postponed immediately. We are, however, still operating our Spring Break Vacation Care on Tues., March 17, 2020 to allow parents time to find alternate care for the remainder of the week. We understand that the closure of our facilities may feel abrupt, however we know it is the right decision under these extraordinary circumstances. We are in close contact with local government and health officials to monitor the situation and to determine when we can reopen. We will continue to update information here to keep you informed.
Virtual Workouts
It’s more important than ever to live our YMCA mission of serving and strengthening our communities. And while we can’t serve you in person, you can enjoy virtual workouts in the comfort of your own home.
We know you still have a lot of questions. We do, too. We are committed to doing everything possible to secure the future of the YMCA, and all its services, as these uncertain times continue.
Closure for any length of time represents a significant threat to our non-profit organization. We cannot express the potentially devastating impact extensive cancellations could have. We know the Y is an extension of your family and we remain honored and committed to serving you, just as we have served for the last 130 years.
Here are some things we can share with you:
- Those currently enrolled in Before and After School: Any credit will be applied toward future payments when the program resumes.
- Those currently enrolled in youth sports and aquatics have two choices: We expect programs to resume soon, but if not, you can consider your program fees a donation to the Y’s ongoing mission to serve community or take a credit toward future programming in the 2020 calendar year.
- All members also have a choice. We ask that you continue to pay your membership fee so that we can continue to provide necessary services for children, families and adults across central Oklahoma. If this is your choice – thank you. No actions are necessary. If you would like to do something different, we are able to assist you. Please email communications@ymcaokc.org with your questions and concerns.
Whatever you choose, we thank you for your support and understanding. Please take care of yourself and one another. Our community is strong, and together, we will get through this.
March 10 – 16, 2020
There is no higher priority to our YMCA family than the safety of our members and participants. As many others, we continue to monitor the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus. We are taking precautions to protect our participants as much as possible, while still enjoying the Y.
However, we understand things could change quickly. If the need arises to cancel programming or close facilities to help stop the spread of the virus, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City will follow directives from our public health partners. Any cancellations or closures will be communicated via email, our website, social media and local news media. Additionally, we will continue to modify and update our plans as the situation develops.
CLOSED
Lincoln Park Senior Center March 16-30, 2020
Child Development Center effective March 16, 2020
Military Welcome Center effective March 16, 2020
Bethany YMCA effective March 17, 2020
Rockwell Crossing YMCA effective March 17, 2020
Main Street YMCA effective March 17, 2020
CANCELLED
SilverSneakers Classes effective March 17, 2020
Below is more information about what we are doing and how you can help prevent the spread of the virus.
- Maintaining a Healthy Environment 3.10.20
- Lincoln Park Senior Center Closure
- Spring Break Vacation Care Check-in Policy
- Travel Questionnaire (for childcare participants)
- Childcare Health Safety
- Digital Membership Card
NOTICE
Per the CDC, those that fall into the high-risk category should stay home and out of public spaces.
- Older adults
- Residents with serious chronic medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes and lung disease
- Those with compromised immune systems
- Pregnant women
Additionally, we are asking that you do not enter our facilities if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, you feel sick or have had direct contact with anyone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES
For your safety, we ask that all those that identify as a high-risk participants, per the CDC’s guidelines, not attend or participant in any of our group exercise classes.
EQUIPMENT CLEANING
Equipment and facility cleaning safety breaks are now in place. Every hour, all equipment will be sprayed with disinfectant and remain untouched for five minutes to allow for the solution to fully work.
This will happen one of two ways depending on the facility:
- Activity will stop at 45 minutes past the hour for a 15 minutes safety break while all cleaning is done, or
- Staff will cycle through the area and clean equipment and then render it on a safety break for 5-10 minutes.
- Group exercise classes will end five minutes early, so all participants can clean equipment used prior to the next class.
Additionally, we encourage participants to clean equipment before and after use to help prevent the spread of germs.
Please refer to the Center for Disease Control for more information about the virus and how to keep you and your family safe and healthy.