The YMCA, one of the first organizations in the United States to begin canceling meets and closing pools amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is starting to reopen pools throughout the nation.
Outside of school-based pools, YMCA pools are probably the biggest singular lifeblood of competitive swimming, with hundreds of teams across the country based out of Y pools and Y-run pools.
In early March, this year’s YMCA Short Course National Championships, originally scheduled for March 30-April 3, were canceled for the first time since 1947. At that time, all YMCA of the USA staff was informed in an email obtained by that it must cancel all Y-hosted in-person events through April 30, which was obviously extended as the pandemic progressed.
That meet was expected to draw 1,400 swimmers from around the nation. Short Course YMCA national championships have been held yearly since 1923, with the only prior cancelations coming in 1942-45 for World World II, and in 1947.
Later in March, YMCA Long Course Nationals (originally scheduled for July 28th-August 1st) was canceled as well..
Now, pools have opened in at least 30 locations, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Topeka, KS
- Indiana, PA
- Victoria, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Albemarle, NC
- Ashland, OR
- Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Prescott, AZ
- Chesapeake, VA
- Multiple in greater Indianapolis, IN
- Multiple in Knoxville, TN area
- Multiple in greater Cincinnati, OH
- Multiple in St. Louis County, MO
- New Bern, NC
- Summerville, SC
- Jackson, MS
- Lincoln, NE
The Green Ohio Family YMCA (and the whole Akron system) will be re-opening on Monday, June 8. Swim team is still on hold but the powers-that-be are working on protocols to begin training soon, but there are no local meets at this time. Some talk of doing virtual meets, though.
Since Illinois has announced immediate pool re-openings for Phase 3, now in effect, any idea yet how will this impact Illinois YMCA pool opening dates? TYVM
Presumably, they’ll start to reopen based on local decisions. There’s a piece here that I think a lot of people aren’t considering – the cost side. Everyone is assuming that pools that won’t reopen are making that choice because of ‘safety.’ But the bigger question is whether it makes financial sense to run a pool under limited occupancy.
If it’s a 3 lane YMCA pool and they can fit 10 people in? Then maybe they would. If it’s a big old 8 lane pool? Then the revenue probably wouldn’t even cover the lifeguard costs.
I think the financial implications are concerning many Y families. What happens if the associations deem the teams not to be cost effective? In some areas of the country Y swimming accounts for a good percentage of swim clubs (i.e. southeastern PA). There has been little to no communication from many associations as to the future of their Y swim teams. Families are panicking.
There are other clubs in our area (CT) but my fear is that if the Y swim teams don’t come back, the clubs won’t be able to absorb additional swimmers. The association has been happy to collect our membership dues for 3+ months without any communication about the team and it makes families feel like they’re taking advantage of the fact that a facility membership is required for swim team participation. Are they just dragging it out as long as possible to keep getting our money?
Our Y gave the option of putting membership on hold but asked members to consider keeping their membership, and most members did just that. This keeps with the YMCA philosophy that we believe in, plus we also wanted a Y to come back to. With our Y open again there is lap swim that any member may attend and team members have been going. Haven’t heard anything about when swim team might return.
CT could be opening in by June 20th. Governor’s Executive Order for CT Phase 2 to be issued this week.
Moved up to June 17th a couple days ago
The specific guidelines for pools hasn’t been released yet in CT. They should be coming out early this week (week of June 8). Very interested to see where outdoor pools land in the scheme of capacity in and out of the pool. I live in a town where there is ongoing debate among some pool clubs around whether or not pool clubs are considered “gatherings” or will capacity be a % of regular capacity. Not sure if this will matter much for competitive swimming but absent the CT guidance there is a lot of confusion. Just looking forward to the day the kids can get in and practice again!
The requirements for Phase 2 were just released. For pool capacity it says, “Limit the total number of patrons in the pool area and pool to the number of people/households that can safely fit on the pool deck area while maintaining the 6 ft social distance guideline, including 3 ft wide walking paths.” Clear as mud, right? Just doing it on a % of capacity, especially for lap pools, would seem to be much better.
The document says that “swim training” should follow USA Swimming guidelines. Under swim lessons it says that lessons involving physical contact cannot restart in phase 2, but lessons not requiring physical contact (e.g. swim team sessions with older children) are allowed.
Also, private/social clubs have to guidelines for the applicable sector – pool clubs are supposed to follow the pool guidelines, not the general “gathering” limits.
YMCA in Round Rock, TX opened. We went to swim last Sunday and will today again. They take temperature upon entry and ask you questions about possible symptoms. Pool is laps only. Locker roms cannot be used, just two small bathrooms. They constantly clean around pool. Side doors and roof opened and lots of breeze. We felt safe and comfortable. We used masks to pool and from pool.
Probably July-August for WA. They have been charging us fully for three month and going for four months now. Kept calling them but no luck. Finally yesterday they told me not for another one more month at least. I just canceled my membership of 20 years
Greater Des Moines, IA is back on-line!
Lancaster OH Y is open too. Central Ohio Y pools open July 1st
Prattville, AL has opened