PARA Announced Reopening (with Limits) of Activity Centers
Monday, the Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority announced the reopening of six of its seven activity centers.
According to the press release,
The McAbee Center will remain temporarily closed as its primary identity is as a Senior Center.
While taking into consideration health and safety recommendations from the Governor of Alabama, Alabama Department of Public Health, the CDC and local governments, Executive Director Gary Minor said, “We are pleased and prepared to reopen our Activity Centers with suggested limits. Exercising is an essential aspect of staying healthy and PARA is thankful for the opportunity to reopen this aspect of your park and recreation.”
“While Centers were closed, our staff deep cleaned inside and outside the buildings. We are happy to reopen on a limited basis with plans to gradually return to typical operating hours and programming as allowed and determined safe,” he said.
All reopening hours are subject to change and plan for early closing to allow staff time to deep clean daily. Patrons are asked to refrain from entry if they have a fever or have been sick, wash their hands upon entry and exit and maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
Until further notice, all PARA members are welcome to utilize any of the six Activity Centers. PARA will open Activity Centers - except the McAbee Center – with the following operating hours:
Temporary Operating Hours for Belk, Faucett, Hughes, Miller, Tingle and Phelps Centers:
Monday – Friday | Typical Opening hours | Close at 7pm
Saturday | Typical Opening hours | Close at 1pm
Sunday | Closed
The centers will reopen on Tuesday, May 12. However, all playground equipment remains closed. So, while business resumes at the facilities, the kiddies will have to wait a while longer.
However, the following information was also included in the press release:
Membership Billing:
Deluxe Membership: Credit for unused days in March will be applied to the month of May. Billing will resume with typical billing dates in June.
Value Membership: Will be extended by two months to compensate for dates closed.
Fitness Classes and Equipment:
When fitness classes resume - expected May 18 - they will be completed in accordance with social distancing recommendations and with modifications. There will be some hybridized classes, and others presented virtually via Zoom.
Equipment layout has been modified to restrict access and maintain at least six feet of distance between pieces.
Participants should bring their own personal water bottles and towels. No towel service or water fill stations will be provided.
Water fountains, water fill stations, showers and lockers are temporarily closed.
Childcare:
Childcare will not provided at this time.
Pools:
Indoor pools will be open with social distancing procedures in place. Water will slowly increase to typical operating temperature.
Racquetball/Pickle Ball/Basketball:
Participants must bring their own balls. PARA will not provide balls for use.
Please initial or identify your ball with a sharpie and only pick up/touch balls with your initials.
Basketball will be played one person/household per goal.
Climbing Walls, Belay Tower and Playground Equipment:
All climbing walls, belay tower and indoor/outdoor playground equipment remain closed.
Rentals:
Rentals are allowed as they comply with social distancing requirements and 50% of building capacity.
OTHER PARA INFORMATION:
PARA Parks:
All PARA Parks will be open daily 7am to 8 pm.
Youth and Adult Sports:
We are diligently working with national and state sanctioning bodies to hold a delayed and modified season.
PARAkids Day Camp:
PARA is pleased to welcome Casie Jones as the new Director of Youth Activities. We are working on scheduling with limitations and will make an announcement at a later date.
PARA encourages everyone to be safe, be kind and stay healthy. All information is subject to change.
Businesses and local officials are working to safely return to normal operations, and patrons are encouraged to use their best judgment in addition to the limits that have been placed upon facility usage.
Everything I’m Going to Do in Downtown Tuscaloosa When it Re-Opens:
Everything I’m Going to Do in Downtown Tuscaloosa When it Re-Opens