The Arizona Department of Health Services states that people over age 65 or with serious underlying health conditions should avoid using pools and fitness centers at this time.

What to expect:

Masks will be required indoors (no exemptions). Masks are required outdoors except when swimming (head-in-water) or vigorously exercising (playing tennis, pickleball, or volleyball). Exemptions as listed in the Pima County mask ordinance, Section 2, “Exempt Persons” apply outdoors.

Social distancing (at least six feet) is also required aside from brief moments of passing in lanes, and passageways.

All staff you encounter will have undergone symptom screening at the beginning of their shift.

Occupancy limits in pools and fitness rooms have been sharply reduced. HOWEVER, required social distancing (6 feet between people who do not live together), even when wearing a mask, is the higher priority. If required social distancing is not possible for the activity you prefer, you must change your plan or wait to enter the facility until someone leaves. It does not matter if the posted occupancy limit has not been met.

Guests are not permitted in any facilities at this time. Tenants, Additional Cardholders and Resident Youth Cardholders ARE permitted.

If you feel ill, stay home. If you have been in close contact with a person with an un-diagnosed respiratory illness or a known case of COVID-19, stay home for two weeks after your exposure. Members who appear to be ill will be asked to leave.

Restrooms will be available. Showers and lockers will NOT be available. Please arrive ready to exercise.

Drinking fountains and ice machines will NOT be available. BRING ALL THE WATER YOU USUALLY NEED FOR YOUR EXERCISE SESSION.

Pool noodles and life jackets will NOT be available. Members may bring their own, but may not share equipment with people they do not live with.

Group water aerobics and water volleyball are not available at this time.

Maximum two swimmers/walkers per lane; entering and exiting only while the other swimmer/walker is at the opposite end of the pool.

Congregating or lounging on pool decks is not permitted. Members may briefly linger on the deck to dry off, if no other swimmers are waiting to enter the area.

Please note the time when you enter the pool deck. Limiting your visit to one hour.

Q: Why is this reopening going so slow?

A: We have been directed to take it slow…

While Governor Ducey has permitted many of GVR’s facilities to reopen, he did not give the “all clear” signal. He explicitly directed businesses to open CAREFULLY, and to ensure that every feasible measure is taken to reduce the risk of COVID to staff and “customers” (members), and to ensure that members behave in ways that minimize the risk. He framed this as our patriotic duty because if an outbreak is traced to a pool or gym or meeting facility at GVR, it will have implications for all pools, gyms, or meeting facilities in the county or state. There is nothing preventing the county supervisors or governor from resuming lockdowns if they deem it necessary. Lockdowns are obviously very hard on the economy, locally and nationally. GVR agrees with Governor Ducey on this matter and we are taking our responsibility to the community seriously.

Green Valley has been fortunate to escape the higher infection rates of larger communities. It is likely that this fortune is the result of GVR and other gathering places shutting down in March. We do not want hastiness to cause a tragic reversal in this trend.

Q: How is GVR selecting the facilities that are reopening?

A: First, we are consulting the information provided by various health authorities, and listening to our peers who have reopened. This research led to an initial focus on outdoor activities. As of August 26, all pools and ball courts that are not closed for maintenance or repair are operational.

Fitness centers: The requirements are challenging (https://www.gvrec.org/up/news-info/coronavirus/indoor-gyms-fitness-centers.pdf). When permitted to do so, GVR will start by opening one of the larger gyms (Las Campanas or Canoa Ranch) to test the waters and get a sense of member interest in masked workouts.

Studio spaces vary in the challenges they present. Dedicated space clubs have been working with staff to develop adapted protocols. Clubs with spaces that are most compatible with social distancing are likely to be among the first to reopen. Based on what we learn during those early trials, we will be able to project reopening dates for other clubs. Some clubs feel their space or the nature of their activity presents too great a risk and are not pursuing reopening.

Q: Does GVR expect to be back to normal when the snowbirds return?

A: There’s no point in sugar-coating it. The answer is no, we don’t. Experts agree that until an effective treatment or vaccine for COVID/SARS-CoV-2 is developed, manufactured, and distributed or administered to a majority of the population, life as we knew it before this pandemic is unlikely to resume. While rapid progress is reported in those arenas, it seems safe to say that the solutions will not be in place by this coming winter. Social distancing, rigorous and frequent hand-washing, sanitizing shared surfaces and items after each use, and wearing masks are a part of life for the foreseeable future. These requirements will have a significant impact on how GVR operates facilities. Furthermore, precautions do not eliminate risk. Staff will continue to fall ill with COVID, or be exposed to it and require quarantine, further affecting operations. We hope to open in a modified fashion, every facility that can be reasonably offered, by the time the snowbirds return. But we will not make haste when the waste could be the health of our friends and neighbors.

Q: Will GVR issue refunds for the closure period?

A: Under the Arizona Non-Profit Corporation Act, GVR’s Board of Directors is prohibited from refunding any portion of membership dues to GVR members. The Act states that a nonprofit corporation cannot use any of its funds to make monetary payments to members—including refunding dues payments.

Q: There’s a new Resident Youth Card? Isn’t GVR age-restricted?

No. GVR is not age-restricted. Many neighborhoods in Green Valley are age-restricted, but not all. There are more young and middle-aged people living in Green Valley than folks tend to expect, and many of them rent or own homes with GVR attached to the deed. Some member households include children who are welcome to use facilities if they observe the supervision expectations and age-restrictions that are posted at pools and fitness centers. GVR kids (Resident Youth Cardholders) are welcome to play racket sports, shuffleboard, table tennis, and volleyball. They are welcome to shoot hoops. They are not able to open gates with their cards—they must be accompanied by adults to gain access to areas behind card-activated gates.

Resident children using GVR facilities must carry a Resident Youth ID card. Please email the Membership Department at membership@gvrec.org to acquire a Resident Youth ID card.