Reopening guidelines announced for Gatlinburg Community Center
The Gatlinburg Community Center will reopen on Monday, May 18 with temporary operating hours and restrictions.
The Community Center will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, while closed on the weekends. The hours between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. are reserved for individuals most vulnerable or at risk for COVID-19, including those who are over age 62 or have chronic medical conditions as identified by the CDC.
It is recommended, for their convenience, that patrons call upon arrival to the Community Center to check space availability before entering. Participation in activities will be limited to one hour per person in all areas. During this reopening phase Community Center use will be limited to patrons above the age of 16 with a current membership.
A waiting list and call-ahead policy for patrons will be utilized when designated areas within the Community Center are at capacity. Patrons who arrive at the facility when at capacity will be asked to wait outside and will be called when space becomes available. The Community Center can be reached at 865-436-4990.
A number of health and safety procedures and precautions will also be followed as the Community Center embarks on this phased reopening.
All patrons entering the Community Center should be prepared to answer questions regarding potential symptoms of COVID-19, including if they have been in close contact with a confirmed case, if they are experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or a sore throat, if they have had a fever in the past 48 hours, if they have a new loss of taste or smell or if they have experienced vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours.
Patrons will be required to sanitize equipment they come in contact with using disinfecting wipes. All visitors will also be encouraged to use only one piece of equipment at a time so that machines are cleaned after each use. Customers are asked to please come prepared with drinking water, as all water fountains will be closed. Community Center staff will sanitize all equipment, touch-point surfaces and restrooms every two hours. The Community Center is also requiring parent or guardian supervision for all children when participating in recreational activities to ensure that children can comply with the applicable guidelines.
The Tone Zone and Bowling Center are the only two areas of the building open to the public as part of this phased reopening.
The Tone Zone area will operate in its normal area, with all cardio equipment moved to the facility’s gymnasium, which allows for each area to be open for eight people at a time.
The Bowling Center will also operate under restrictions as well. All self-serve items in the center, such as bowling balls, will be removed and staff will provide items to patrons directly. The check-in and payment processes have been modified to observe social distancing and waiting areas are prohibited from being used to prevent congregating.
Community Center staff will sanitize shared resources, such as bowling balls, rented shoes and other equipment after each use.
When possible, patrons should schedule appointments or reservations for Bowling Center lanes by calling 865-436-6757. Bowling leagues at the Community Center have been suspended until further notice.
During this portion of the phased reopening, the Community Center’s pool, gymnasium and racquetball courts will remain closed. The Parks and Recreation Department also will not be hosting meetings, birthday parties or group activities, including organized leagues or classes, at this time.
