Below is another letter and update from FitRec Director Mike Schneider with some FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding FitRec’s tentative re-opening plan.
June 12, 2020
Dear Students, Faculty/Staff, and FitRec Members,
As we continue to stay abreast of local and state information we are more and more hopeful about re-opening the Health, Fitness, & Recreation Center! We have heard from many of you recently, and we recognize that many of you are eager to return.
As of today, the campus remains closed, but we have identified a tentative opening date of July 6. This date is tentative, and depends on a number of factors, and we will keep you posted if we are able to confirm.
We know there are many questions out there so please see these common FAQ answers as of June 12, 2020.
Q. Will there be a summer camp?
A. Yes, at this time we are planning for summer camp starting on July 6. More information will be coming, but we anticipate spots will fill up fast as it will be at reduced capacities. Please check our website and social media for more information coming soon. You may also email our Assistant Director Angela Caringella at Angela.Caringella@morainevalley.edu for more information.
Q. When will my membership be billed?
A. Billing has not occurred since early March and the next billing session will depend on our opening date. All current members have 14 days of credit and this will be factored in when billing occurs. More specific information will be provided but all members will have the option to continue a freeze of their membership regardless of when we re-open.
Q. What areas will be open/closed when you re-open?
A. Generally speaking, most areas will be open but will be limited. Basketball courts will be prioritized to camp and group fitness classes initially, the pool will be used primarily for lap swim, and the weight and fitness area will be open at reduced capacities. Some areas/activities may be by reservation only but those details are still being developed. In addition to this, we anticipate some reduced hours and some periodic short shutdowns to ensure all areas are disinfected appropriately. Specific areas that may be closed initially include KidRec, steam rooms, and the whirlpool. We also anticipate that the locker room usage will be modified so members should prepare to come ready to work out and shower at home. Please note, we will be assessing everything weekly, and will make adjustments accordingly.
Q. Will members need to wear masks?
A. At this time, we do anticipate that members will need to wear masks, but we will continue to watch the science and follow state, local, and CDC guidelines in order to make the best policy decisions. Again, more specific information will be provided in the near future.
Q. Can I bring a guest once you re-open?
A. Initially there will be no guests allowed, however membership will be open to new members.
For specific questions, please email hfrc@morainevalley.edu.
Lastly, while we look very forward to getting our members back safely, we need to once again stress that this is tentative, and is subject to change.
Be Well and Stay Safe,
Mike Schneider
FitRec Director
June 2, 2020
Below is a letter from FitRec Director Mike Schneider regarding the latest on the re-opening of our facility.
FitRec community,
At this time, the Health, Fitness, & Recreation Center (FitRec), along with the entire campus of Moraine Valley Community College, remain closed. We do not yet have a return date, but are working on a plan at this time. Some of you may be aware of the Phase 3 plan from the Governor. While this plan doesn’t directly allow us to re-open, it does provide some guidance related to outdoor fitness and summer camp. Based on this information, and in anticipation of the next phase, we are hopeful that our facility will be able to re-open soon. We are also still optimistic that a modified version of our summer camp will be possible beginning in July.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to take our survey. If you have not yet taken the survey, please take a moment to do so. The survey will be closing Friday, June 5. We learned valuable information about your questions and concerns, and we are working on a plan to address as many of them as possible. We also learned that many of our students, members, and faculty/staff have a great deal of confidence in our ability to reduce the risks when we do re-open. Thank you for your confidence, and I can assure you we will work very hard to do just that.
Lastly, I feel it’s important during these trying times to underscore our core values of integrity, responsibility, respect, fairness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We stand firmly with our college leadership in remaining committed to the success of our students, being of service to our community and understanding the responsibility we have to one another. Together we can foster greater understanding, sensitivity, and justice for our diverse community.
Stay tuned for more information, and continue to take our live classes and get fresh air and exercise outdoors. I hope to have more information for you very soon!
Stay safe and be well,
Mike Schneider
FitRec Director
May 12, 2020
Below is a link to a video message from FitRec Director, Mike Schneider. It provides some answers to some of your questions regarding the FitRec facility, updates on future services offered and potential changes once the building reopens. In addition to the video message, FitRec would appreciate it if you could complete a short online survey to help gather some information from you regarding your questions and concerns once the facility re-opens. The link to the survey is also below and we hope you will complete it to help us address your responses. Thank you for your continued patience and we appreciate your commitment to FitRec!
Please click HERE to see the video message from Mike Schneider.
Please click HERE to complete our short survey.
March 26, 2020
Dear valued FitRec members,
First and foremost, we hope that you are staying safe and healthy. The staff at the Health, Fitness & Recreation Center (FitRec) have been working over the last week to provide you with some answers for some of your questions during this unprecedented closure of our facility. We have also been finding new and creative ways to keep our members engaged and hope that you have taken advantage of our increased website content and social media presence.
At this time, FitRec does not have a reopening date available and that future date will be dependent on a number of factors outside of our control. However, we can provide you with some answers to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) below based on the information we have at this time.
Do members have any access to the facility during this closure?
While our operations are suspended and the facility is closed, there will not be access to the FitRec facility, including locker rooms, due to the shelter-in-place mandate by the state of Illinois.
What about my membership during the closure?
All current monthly memberships active through March 2020 will automatically be frozen and not be billed for the month of April. Because FitRec does not yet have a definitive reopen date, future billing details past April are not yet available. However, any future billing will be prorated to reflect the days lost. Please keep in mind that these billing adjustments are automatic and there is nothing you need to do. For annual and 1-month memberships, expiration dates will be extended by the number of days of the closure once we reopen the facility.
What about monthly charges outside of the membership, like KidRec Add-ons or locker rental fees?
All normal monthly charges on membership accounts have been halted for the month of April, including KidRec add-ons and locker rental fees. FitRec will update accordingly depending on the length of the closure.
Can I still redeem or earn FitRec Reward points through Perkville during the facility closure?
For all active FitRec Reward users, FitRec and Perkville are offering users the option of “Exercising Safely” from their own homes and earning five points daily toward their rewards account during our facility closure. To take advantage of this opportunity, please visit the following link: https://www.perkville.com/biz/8880/staysafe/
In terms of points redemption, members still have the ability to go into their rewards account online and redeem their points, but we will not be able to process the reward redemption until the facility is open and operational again.
Can I still make a transaction or pay off an outstanding balance during FitRec’s closure?
As of Wednesday, March 18, all FitRec staff have been asked to work from home until further notice. This means that there will not be any staff at the facility to process any monetary transactions for programs or services. All future programs and services have been temporarily suspended or postponed during the closure. The online portal is still accessible for any member who would like to pay off an outstanding balance on their account. Please continue to update any expired or cancelled credit cards as usual.
Is FitRec providing any type of resources for its members during the closure?
Yes! In fact, the FitRec website has been running new and regularly updated content nearly every day since the facility closed on Wednesday, March 18. The website can be found at: morainevalley.edu/fitrec and all new content can be found on the main page. In addition to the FitRec Closed story, there are three other pages that we are updating throughout the closure entitled Wellness Wealth, Family Focus and Trainer Tidbits. Each of these pages will be updated with new content every 2-3 days per week. You will find workout ideas, healthy recipes, family fun ideas, tips for relieving stress, and much more. Check them out today!
What about the Cycle for a Cause event scheduled for Saturday, March 28?
Cycle for a Cause has been postponed until June 6, 2020 (tentatively) and registration is currently frozen. If you already registered for the event and would like a refund, we will be able to do so when that registration date reopens.
Wait, I still have more questions?
FitRec staff are all working and available to assist you. If you are unsure who to contact, please email us at hfrc@morainevalley.edu and someone will return your email or call you if you prefer.
Thank you for being a valued member at FitRec and for your continued patience during this challenging and extraordinary situation. We greatly appreciate your continued support as we work toward further solutions and ways to keep you staying active and healthy. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen the facility!
Sincerely,
The FitRec Team
March 17, 2020
Dear FitRec Members, Users, and Guests,
At this time, we regret to inform you that the Health, Fitness, & Recreation Center will be closing today, March 17, at 5 pm. While it saddens us to deliver this message, it has become necessary to close and ensure the safety of our community. Due to the evolving impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), there is no known re-opening date of the facility at this time. Regarding your membership, processes to freeze and/or extend memberships are being developed at this time. Please be patient as we work through this closure and provide you with follow-up information:
In the interim, please note the following:
- Members are welcome to clear out personal lockers throughout the day today. If you are unable to do so today, please email hfrc@morainevalley.edu to schedule an appointment.
- FitRec professional staff will continue to work throughout the closure and will respond to email or phone questions as quickly as possible.
- We anticipate opportunities to deliver some online programming and healthy tips, so please check email and our website (www.morainevalley.edu/fitrec) for information. It remains our mission to facilitate healthy and active lifestyles and we will not let this closure change that!
- Our partner NovaCare will be transferring clients to their Oak Lawn location (708-422-2960) on 95th street (4710 W. 95th St., Suite B6). They can be contacted.
Lastly, thank you to each of you and thank you to our outstanding staff! Please be safe, be careful, and take care of yourself and others.
Sincerely,
The FitRec Team
March 15, 2020
Effective March 16, 2020, FitRec will be implementing the following changes for the foreseeable future in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak:
- KidRec will be closed indefinitely
- No rentals (i.e. birthday parties) will be allowed
- All group swim lessons will be suspended
- No guest passes will be sold or honored, including complimentary passes
FitRec and Moraine Valley Community College are continuing to monitor this ever-changing situation, so please continue to check the FitRec website, the FitRec app or your e-mail for future updates. Thank you for your patience as we navigate through this challenging situation together.
Sincerely,
The FitRec Team
Below is a letter released to all FitRec members and guests via e-mail from Director of Campus Recreation, Mike Schneider, on March 12, 2020…
Dear FitRec User,
In light of the recent updates regarding the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Health, Fitness & Recreation Center (FitRec) at Moraine Valley Community College would like to inform its users that the facility is currently remaining open and operational at this time. FitRec has always been committed to the health and wellness of our users and will continue to make safety our top priority. With that in mind, the current situation is very fluid and rapidly evolving so please continue to check your e-mail or the FitRec website and/or app for updates. Please keep in mind that the FitRec facility may remain open for use despite closures of other buildings located on the MVCC campus.
Please note, FitRec has increased its sanitation efforts over the last couple of weeks, including cleaning public spaces and equipment, and ensuring appropriate supplies such as gym wipes and hand sanitizer solution is readily available for users. In order to minimize risk, instructors may limit participation numbers for certain classes and/or services over the next few weeks, and non-essential events and gatherings will likely be cancelled or postponed. FitRec strongly advises all of its users to continue to practice healthy habits during these stressful times by exercising regularly, eating healthy and getting the appropriate amount of sleep.
Please continue to check your e-mail or the FitRec website/app regularly for continued updates. Thank you for being a valued member of the Health, Fitness & Recreation Center! For additional questions, you may contact Membership Services at (708) 608-4000.
Sincerely,
Mike Schneider
Director of Campus Recreation
Health, Fitness, & Recreation Center
Moraine Valley Community College
FitRec Statement released on March 6, 2020…
FitRec Users,
Nothing is more important to us than the health and welfare of all Health, Fitness & Recreation Center users. As such, we are closely coordinating with college leadership and following recommendations and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and county public health departments relative to COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus.
To keep yourself and all FitRec users safe, we need your help. Please practice excellent personal hygiene and wipe down equipment regularly before and after use. Gym wipe stations are plentiful throughout the fitness floor, and hand sanitizer stations are wall mounted in several areas. Ensure you keep a barrier (towel/clothing) between your body and any facility equipment. FitRec staff will enforce use of gym wipes and other recommended practices to help minimize contamination. Our policies and protocol are in place to keep members safe so following them is very important.
To stop the spread of germs, the CDC recommends:
– Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
– Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue into the trash.
– Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
– Staying home when you are sick.
If you have a specific concern or if you need help locating gym wipes or hand sanitizer stations, please see any FitRec staff member. You can also email us at hfrc@morainevalley.edu with additional questions or concerns.
Thank you!
The FitRec Staff
