Steve Badertscher, Director of the Marion Senior Center, has announced the Center will welcome members and guests back into the building beginning on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
The Center will be re-opening in a three-phased approach, with the first phase offering limited activities, limited hours, and maintaining safety protocols such as social distancing and masks. Phase I will begin July 6 with reduced hours of 10 am – 2 pm. Phase I activities will include Tai Chi, Pacesetters Walking Club, Exercise Class, Pickleball, Line Dancing, as well as Fitness/Exercise Room use by appointment only.
In Phase II, additional activities will be offered beginning Monday, July 19 with continuation of reduced hours of 10am – 2pm. In addition to all the activities in Phase I, small groups including Books, Balance & BS, Trivia, Mind Games, Sewing Class, Craft Class, Bible Study, plus Bingo and Movies will resume. Pool Room use will be added by appointment only.
Phase III is set to begin Monday, August 2, and will add additional activities and programs deemed appropriate after a thorough evaluation of the first two phases. Consideration will be given to adding Card Games, Mah Jong, Dominoes, Scrabble, and Rummikub during this phase. At this time, no trips or large communal meal events are being planned or offered.
Senior Center Transportation, which has provided transportation throughout the pandemic, will resume scheduling rides for seniors aged 60 and over to join other members at the Center. Rides may be arranged by calling (740) 387-5444.
“The pandemic has been especially hard on many of our seniors who depend on the Center for social interaction,” Badertscher said. “The closure of the Center was a necessary precaution to protect the most vulnerable population in our community. However, being closed has increased the isolation of our members and we are very aware of the positive impact socialization has on their health and well-being. That’s why the entire staff is excited about the re-opening and can’t wait to see our friends back in the building.”
Badertscher wants to remind participants that no one will be permitted to enter the building if they are not feeling well or experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, headache, loss of smell or taste, sore throat, or muscle pain. All members, visitors, and staff will be required to wear a mask and abide by social distancing guidelines and safety protocols in place as required by the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Order on the Opening of Senior Centers.
“It is important for everyone in our community to understand that the Covid-19 pandemic is ever-changing, which means our best laid plans for re-opening in phases may be delayed or altered should positive cases increase dramatically within Marion County”, Badertscher said. “Our objective is to open cautiously while protecting the health of our members and staff. Safety will continue to be the number one priority on which we base all decisions.”
For more information on the re-opening plans please call the Center at (740) 387-6100. Complete details will be included in a special mailing to all members and in the July issue of The Sentinel newsletter. The Marion Senior Center Facebook page is also an excellent source of information on the latest news surrounding the events and happenings at the Center.