Y-M-C-A! Butte County's 'Y' reopens for the first time since 2020
OROVILLE, Calif. — While it may be "fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A," those centers in the Northstate have been closed by COVID-19 restrictions since 2020... until now.
Wednesday was the first day back at the Oroville YMCA since November when Butte County, along with several others, moved back into the restrictive purple tier of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. It was also the first day operating in 2021.
With Butte County now in the red tier, lifted restrictions are allowing the center to safely reopen. The Y's program director, Sara Pierce, says "basically, we're coming back with vengeance."
"Starting next week... we're going to be doing a lot of youth sports," says Pierce. "I know there's soccer, flag football, basketball, volleyball in the next year or so."
For the time being, the pool at the center on Robinson Street is the only service available. The county's tier movement was abrupt for the 'Y' and officials are now rushing to arrange staff and classes to begin in the near future.
The wait does not seem to bother those who took advantage of the newly reopened pool Thursday. To members like Alicia Cueva, they're just happy to be back in the water.
"I love it!" exclaims Cueva. "Just being here makes me happy! I feel like I'm 50 years old, and I'm almost 80!"
When services start up again, all non-pool-related classes will be moved to the Oroville Municipal Auditorium, where the non-profit and city have begun a partnership. Pierce says space will eventually become the main hub for the center.
As far as what members should expect when attending services, COVID-19 mitigation efforts continue at the 'Y'.
Temperatures checks will be required before entering any class and masks will be required unless swimming. As of now, Pierce says fitness classes will also not require masks as members will be appropriately and safely spaced apart.
Water fitness and swim classes will remain at the current location on Robinson Street.
Pierce says more information will be released on restarting fitness classes, like Zumba, yoga, and cardio, by next week. The center will also be working to expand after-school programs for children as more schools begin reopening full-time.
