In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, both the CDC and Governor Pritzker have eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated* people. With these announcements it is important to understand that this only has a bearing on fully vaccinated individuals, those who are two weeks out from their final dose of the vaccine.
Please note, certain parts of our services such as Preschool, Extended Time Program, Sports Programs, and other children’s activities, still have mandated requirements for the participants, most of whom are not currently eligible to be vaccinated, and staff will also follow the mandates accordingly. In addition, certain areas of the REC Center that provide these services will have designated areas where mask use by ALL individuals is still required, such as our Seedlings Preschool wing and inside classrooms where children are participating. Please continue to follow all the health and safety rules for each activity as listed below.
Per the latest CDC and IDPH Guidelines, masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated* customers in the REC Center building except as otherwise posted in designated areas. Also, masks are no longer required outdoors for fully vaccinated individuals at park district activities.
By entering HPD spaces without a face covering, you are verifying truthfully that you have been fully vaccinated.
*Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Individuals who do not meet these requirements, regardless of age, are not considered fully vaccinated.
Huntley Park District is committed to providing quality programming in a safe environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic Huntley Park District will continue to follow the most recent guidelines from the State of Illinois, Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control to ensure the safest environment possible for our customers and our staff. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. All customers and staff must review and conduct the Self-Assessment Health and Safety Screening before each day of their activity. These guidelines were most recently updated 5/20/21 and may change as Illinois moves from various Phases of their restoration plan, please check back for the most up to date information. We are currently in the "Bridge Phase" of the Restore Illinois Plan and are anticipated to advance to Pjase 5 as soon as June 11 if health metrics stay on track.
Please help everyone have a safe and enjoyable experience by understanding and observing the following rules and information:
Health and Safety Guidelines
General (Applies to all as indicated)
- For the health and safety of our customers and staff the Huntley Park District has adopted the following additional rules as it applies to Park District facilities and activities until further notice:
- All participants must follow rules listed including the wearing of face coverings except as indicated above. (The CDC recommends that face coverings be made of at least two layers of fabric, covers your mouth and nose, and fits snugly around the side of your face so as not to have gaps)
- Even if you are fully vaccinated you should still bring a face covering in case you are in a location or situation where it is required.
- All participants must be able to tolerate and wear a face covering at all times when inside our buildings.
- All participants shall maintain at least 6 ft. distancing as much as practical.
- All spectators, where permitted, at indoor venues must wear a face covering at all times.
- Please see specific program rules below for mask use by participants. They may vary depending upon the activity and/or location.
- Any customer not following the rules will be asked to follow them. Service will be denied for those that do not follow rules or put the health and safety of other customers or staff at risk.
- Groups in any one space may not exceed 60% capacity unless otherwise posted. Where multiple groups are permitted in the same space (i.e. - gymnasium), they must be separated by a physical barrier or be at least 30 ft. apart.
- Personal belongings such as backpacks, sports bags, etc. shall be stored apart and not touching from other participants’ items.
- Please follow all other posted signs at Park District facilities where additional rules and requirements may be required.
- When arriving at activities, especially indoors, participants shall proceed directly to their area and exit promptly. Groups should not congregate.
- All participants should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before each activity. You are strongly encouraged to do this after your activity as well.
- All customers and staff must review and conduct the Self-Assessment Health and Safety Screening before each day of their activity.
- If a participant has symptoms of COVID-19
- Participant should not enter premises until they have had no fever for at least 72 hours, other symptoms have improved, and at least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared.
- If symptoms appear during an activity that individual will be sent home until the criteria above has been met.
- If a participant is in “close contact” with someone with COVID-19 (Close contact is defined as household contacts, intimate contacts, or contacts within 6-ft. for a cumulative time of 15 minutes or longer within a 24-hour period)
- Participant should notify Park District
- Participants are encouraged to seek medical attention from their doctor.
- Participant should quarantine for 14 days after the last/most recent contact with the infectious individual, or 10 days if there have no symptoms, and are encouraged to get a COVID-19 test at a state or local government testing center, healthcare center or other testing locations.
- Park District will seek guidance from local health department on additional communication and action to be taken. Please see more information on how the Park District will respond when notified of a "close contact" or positive case of COVID-19.
- If a participant or employee is diagnosed with COVID-19:
- Please inform the Park District
- If participant does contract COVID-19, they should remain isolated at home for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset and can be released after feverless and feeling well (without fever-reducing medication) for at least 72 hours OR has 2 negative COVID-19 tests in a row, with testing done at least 24 hours apart.
- Park District will seek guidance from local health department on additional communication and action to be taken. Please see more information on how the Park District will respond when notified of a "close contact" or positive case of COVID-19.
- Hand washing is available at indoor bathrooms and hand sanitizer is available.
- Cleaning of building is done per CDC guidelines and high touch areas are cleaned every two hours.
- Designated waiting areas will be made available for parents during certain classes. Seating will be 6 ft. apart, wipes will be provided for you to use before and after use.
- If your specific activity is not listed below all above rules apply and as additional rules may apply the instructor of the program will let you know.
- Huntley Park District works with a variety of partners at our facilities and at their facilities. Please contact offsite providers directly to learn and understand their health and safety rules as it might apply to your activity.
- REFUNDS - refunds will follow our regular procedures except as it may relate to a COVID-19 related absence. If you are unable to attend your program or activity due to illness related to COVID-19 or a quarantine related to someone you have been in close contact with, the Park District will evaluate each situation and where possible provide a make-up class first and a refund if a make-up isn't available. Due to the uniqueness of this situation, there are several factors we will review before making any determination of a refund. As with any medical-related refund, documentation from a medical provider may be necessary.
- Should you see park district staff without face coverings, please note that per the most recent guidelines published on May 18, 2021 by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities (DCEO), park district staff who are fully vaccinated are able to provide service to our customers without the use of face coverings.
Office Hours
- Current Office Hours are 7:30a-6:30p Mon-Th and 7:30a-4:00p on Fridays.
- Many activities can accept online registration HERE
- Any questions please contact us info@huntleyparks.org anytime or call at (847) 669-3180 x. 1 during posted office hours.
Parks and Playgrounds
- All playgrounds are open. Customers may use at their discretion and INDIVIDUALS are responsible to maintain distancing of 6 ft. from others not in your household. It is recommended that users wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after using the playgrounds (not provided).
- Bathrooms are cleaned once a day at Deicke Park, Weiss Park, and Tomaso Sports Park. They are available for use and customers are recommended to wash hands after use or use hand sanitizer (not provided).
- Parks and fields are open. Use of fields permitted for individuals when not already reserved for team use. All teams must have a permit to use Park District sports fields.
- Trails are open, please maintain distancing of 6 ft. while in use.
- Pavilions are open and available for reservation. No groups of more than 50. Customers must pick up after themselves. Customers should wash their hands before and after use and are encouraged to bring their own sanitizing wipes (not provided).
Stingray Bay
Summer Day Camp
- For Summer 2021 day camp day will be offered from 7:30a-5:00p. An optional before and after camp option is now available to extend the day to 6:30a-6:00p for families with this need.
- Camp groups (cohorts) will be formed in groups of 30.
- Parents of our campers should review the Health Screening Questions and by arriving at camp you are affirming that these conditions do not exist to the best of your knowledge.
- If a child does have symptoms of COVID-19 they should not enter the premises until they have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without medication), other symptoms have improved, and at least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared.
- Employees also follow the health screening guidelines and if they meet any of the criteria they will be held out of camp as outlined in the health requirements.
- If a participant or employee does contract COVID-19:
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They should remain isolated at home for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset and can be released after feverless and feeling well (without fever-reducing medication) for at least 72 hours OR has 2 negative COVID-19 tests in a row, with testing done at least 24 hours apart.
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If a positive case is identified in our program, the situation will be reviewed by Park District Staff and the McHenry County Health Department and could result in certain individuals and/or staff in that group (cohort) being quarantined for up to 14 days and not able to participate if they are determined to be “close contacts.” A close contact, as defined by the CDC, is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting from 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19.
- Should children exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 during the camp day, they will be isolated from other children and monitored by staff until parents pick them up. Parents should understand that under these guidelines it is more likely than ever a camper may be sent home and should have a plan to pick them up if such symptoms are observed. If observed, pleaser refer to item 3a for return to camp.
- Check-in and check-out are done through ePact system and you can expect it to be “touchless.” We will also be offering curbside drop off and pick up for all levels except Kindergarten and 1st Grade on days when weather is good. On days where weather in not good participants will receive notification from our ePact system and the Weather Page will be updated by 7:00a to let you know which procedures to follow. Please review these procedures here.
- If your child will be absent from camp, you must contact our Absentee Line no later than 9:00a each day. We need to know the first and last name of the parent, the first and last name of the child, which camp the child is in, and the reason for your absence. You can email camp@huntleyparks.org or call (847) 515-2965 to communicate this.
- All participants and staff must wear a cloth face covering when inside any building. If distancing of 6 ft. can be achieved outdoors, masks may be removed. We will spend as much time outdoors as possible. Should you see park district staff without face coverings, please note that per the most recent guidelines published on May 18, 2021 by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities (DCEO), park district staff who are fully vaccinated are able to provide service to our customers without the use of face coverings.
- We will limit parents entering the building as much as possible. If there is a situation where you must enter the premises, all visitors must sign-in and wear a face covering.
- Lunches must contain only single-use containers and all items in the lunch must be thrown out after consumption. No reusable containers or lunch boxes/bags are allowed. The only reusable food container permitted is a water bottle. Additionally, we are restricted from offering camp cookouts this summer.
- The Park District provides one pre-packaged snack item in the afternoon.
- Camp groups are not able to “mix.” This means that the groups of up to 30 will be together each day, will participate in activities together indoors and outdoors and will not be integrated at any time with other camp groups as required by the new guidelines. At the pool we are able to host multiple groups at the same time with some restrictions to limit mixing of groups.
- Field trips will be offered the second week of the two-week session. Due to current availability, cost of busing, and capacity restrictions only one field trip per session will be offered. In the event guidelines change to not allow for field trips, onsite activities and entertainment will be increased.
- Swimming at Stingray Bay will be back in 2021 and camps will have their own designated time from 10:00a-Noon to swim. The pool will not be open to the public during camp swim times. Due to capacity restrictions in place at the pool this year, we are separating camps and general public so neither is taking away swimming opportunities from the other.
- Children have been quite successful following the new safety guidelines in our programs for the pas year. Even with that, our staff are here to help them learn and be successful with these challenges we still face. Under our current circumstances, repeated failure to comply with health and safety rules (intentional or unintentional) may require disciplinary action up to and including removal from camp as outlined in our Code of Conduct. Any situation that will routinely involve interaction with a participant within 6 ft. creates a direct threat to the safety of the child and staff. Those situations will be evaluated and if they cannot be consistently maintained participation in camp will be evaluated.
- You can expect appropriate cleaning of our buildings, notably bathrooms and high touch items will be cleaned and disinfected routinely per CDC guidelines.
- Specific equipment will be assigned to each group of 30 and staff will disinfect items such as balls, writing implements, etc. after each use.
- Hand washing with soap and water will be done most often and hand sanitizer will be readily available where soap and water are not available.
- Disinfectant wipes will also be readily available to ensure high touch surfaces and equipment are safe for use.
- Though public water fountains are still closed, our facilities have been fitted with "touchless" water bottle fillers at key points for refilling of water bottles. Additional resources are also available for water.
- Signs will be posted as reminders for staff and customers.
- More information on parent orientation to camp will be posted this Spring as more details are worked out. Any general questions regarding summer camp can be directed to camp@huntleyparks.org
For customers who are requesting accommodation for a disability, please call our main office at (847) 669-3180 x. 1 and ask for the supervisor of the program you wish to enroll for at least two weeks prior to the activity begin date.
We know these new changes can seem confusing or strange to children, and our staff are here to help them learn and be successful, including giving reminders and encouraging games and activities that will help the children to be successful. However, please understand that under our current circumstances, failure to comply with health and safety rules, whether intentional or not, may require removal from camp as outlined in our behavior management policy when it creates a direct threat to the safety of the patron, staff, or other campers in the program. Those situations will be evaluated on a case by case basis (and with input from the participant's family) and if the rules cannot be satisfied, participants may be removed from camp.
Fitness Center
- Members are required to wear a face covering (over their nose and mouth) upon entering and while exiting both the REC Center and Fitness Center or Dance Studio unless they are fully vaccinated (see above for details on this exception). Members are not required to wear a face covering while exercising, but may wear one if they wish. Should you see park district staff without face coverings, please note that per the most recent guidelines published on May 18, 2021 by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities (DCEO), park district staff who are fully vaccinated are able to provide service to our customers without the use of face coverings.
- Visitors are issued a cleaning bottle and rag as they check-in to clean their equipment before and after use.
- Group Exercise Classes
- In-Person Group Exercise classes are now ongoing.
- Capacity is limited to 60% of the room capacity per class.
- For your health and safety, the following amenities are unavailable until further notice:
- Water fountains are closed; however, the touchless water bottle filler is available for use.
- Personal hand towels will not be provided. We encourage members to bring their own hand/sweat towel.
- Locker rooms are currently unavailable.
Open Gym (Fitness Members Only)
- Only active fitness members will be allowed to participate in open gym basketball.
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, including while playing/exercising.
- Members must bring their own basketball, as the Huntley Park District will not have basketballs to use or rent.
Preschool
- Registration will be limited to achieve appropriate distancing in classrooms.
- Children and staff must wear face coverings for the duration of the program each day, unless eating, in which case they will be positioned more than 6 ft. apart.
- Only children will be permitted into the Preschool Hallways and rooms. Please contact our Preschool Director at (847) 669-0597 if you wish to make an appointment to observe classrooms or need additional accommodations.
- No reusable food containers, other than water bottles, are permitted.
- No outside food items from home are permitted for classrooms. (No birthday treats)
- Curbside drop-off and pick up is being offered to minimize traffic inside the building.
Extended Time Program (ET)
- Parents of our campers should review the Health Screening Questions and by arriving at the program you are affirming that these conditions do not exist to the best of your knowledge.
- If a child does have symptoms of COVID-19 they should not enter the premises until they have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without medication), other symptoms have improved, and at least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared.
- Employees also follow the health screening guidelines and if they meet any of the criteria they will be held out of camp as outlined in the health requirements.
- If a participant or employee does contract COVID-19:
- They should remain isolated at home for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset and can be released after feverless and feeling well (without fever-reducing medication) for at least 72 hours OR has 2 negative COVID-19 tests in a row, with testing done at least 24 hours apart.
- If this is determined in our program all individuals and staff in that group (cohort) who are identified as "close contacts" must be quarantined for 14 days, or 10 days if there are no symptoms during that time period, and not able to participate. Close contacts are defined as “household contacts, intimate contacts, or contacts within 6 ft. for a cumulative time of 15 minutes in a 24-hour time period.”
- Should children exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 during the camp day, they will be isolated from other children and monitored by staff until parents pick them up. Parents should understand that under these guidelines it is more likely than ever a camper may be sent home and should have a plan to pick them up if such symptoms are observed. If observed, please refer to item 4a for return to camp.
- Check-in and check-out are done through ePact system and you can expect it to be “touchless.” We will also be offering curbside drop off and pick up at the Mill St. Entrance on days when weather is good. On days where weather in not good, participants will receive notification from our ePact system and the Weather Page will be updated by 7:00a to let you know which procedures to follow. Please review these procedures here.
- If your child will be absent from the program, please contact your child's ET site to let them know. We need to know the first and last name of the parent, the first and last name of the child, which camp they child is in, and the reason for your absence. Please see our Extended Time Program page for contact info.
- All staff will have face coverings on at all times, regardless of vaccination status. While indoors all participants must wear a cloth face covering unless eating or drinking. If distancing of 6 ft can be achieved outdoors, masks may be removed. We will spend as much time outdoors as possible. The CDC recommends (and D158 requires) that face coverings be made of at least two layers of fabric, covers your mouth and nose, and fits snugly around the side of your face so as not to have gaps. Bandanas and neck gaiters will not be allowed a D158 schools.
- We will limit parents entering the building as much as possible. If there is a situation where you must enter the premises, a face covering is required.
- All participants must bring their own lunches and water bottles to camp each day.
- The Park District provides one pre-packaged snack item in the afternoon.
- All staff will have face coverings on at all times.
- Groups are not able to “mix.” This means that the groups will be together each day, will participate in activities together indoors and outdoors and will not be integrated at any time with other groups as required by the health and safety guidelines.
- Children have adapted well to the face covering requirement and our staff are here to help them learn and be successful. However, under our current circumstances, repeated failure to comply with health and safety rules (intentional or unintentional) may require disciplinary action up to and including removal from camp as outlined in our Code of Conduct. Any situation that will routinely involve interaction with a participant within 6 ft. of another individual creates a direct threat to the safety of the child and staff. Those situations will be evaluated and if they cannot be consistently maintained, participation in camp will be evaluated.
- Specific equipment will be assigned to each group and staff will disinfect items such as balls, writing implements, etc. after each use.
- Hand washing with soap and water will be done most often and hand sanitizer will be readily available where soap and water are not available.
- Disinfectant wipes will also be readily available to ensure high touch surfaces and equipment are safe for use.
- Though public water fountains are still closed, our facilities have been fitted with "touchless" water bottle fillers at key points for refilling of water bottles. Additional resources are also available for water.
- Signs will be posted as reminders for staff and customers.
- Any general questions regarding the Extended Time Program can be directed to Program Manager.
Cheer and Poms
- Practices will be held outdoors this season as long as weather permits.
- Activities involving direct contact will be avoided.
- When practices are outdoors, participants may remove their face covering as long as they are 6 ft. apart.
- When practices are held indoors, participants must wear a face covering at all times.
- All Instructors will wear face coverings at all times except outdoors if 6 ft. of distancing can be achieved.
Studio Dance
- All participants, instructors and spectators are required to wear face coverings at all times while in the room.
Theater
- For any live performances seating will be limited to 172 audience members.
- Household members may sit together. All other guests must sit apart within the capacity restriction.
- All guests, unless fully vaccinated, must wear face coverings when not seated.
- Audience members must review and perform the Self-Assessment Health Screening before entering venue.
- For theater activities such as classes, rehearsals, auditions, all participants, volunteers and staff must wear a mask at all times and maintain 6 ft. distancing when working with children. If not working with children, those who are fully vaccinated may have their masks off.
Martial Arts
- There will be no contact during martial arts activities until further notice.
- All participants must wear a face covering throughout the activity.
- 6' of physical distance must be maintained at all times.
- Instructors will wear face coverings at all times.
Golf
Sports
All Sports
- Face Coverings - All staff, participants, spectators, and coaches who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear a face mask for the duration of the activity unless they are fully vaccinated. (See above more more details.) Individuals are responsible for following these rules
- Under the Restore Illinois Phase 4 and Bridge Phase Guidelines, Spectators are allowed but we encourage families to keep spectators to a minimum.
- Spectators must sit at least 6 ft. apart from other families.
- Where bleachers are available spectators must sit 6 ft. apart from other families and only 20% of available space is able to be used.
- Equipment such as balls are cleaned and disinfected between each game
- All participants and spectators should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after each activity.
- During outdoor games, team benches shall be at least 30 ft. a part.
- During games, team spectators shall be 6 ft. apart from each other. They must also be 30 ft. from the field of play or as otherwise designated for your specific sport.
- During practices, spectators must sit 20 ft. from the practice area and 6 ft. apart from other families.
- No team snacks or drinks at any time.
- No team huddles. Team meetings should be conducted such that the coaches and all participants are at least 6 ft. a part.
- No contact with players, including high fives, fist bumps, etc.
- Game times may be staggered as appropriate to allow for less gatherings at one time.
Outdoor Soccer
- Face Coverings - All staff, participants, coaches and spectators are required to wear a face mask for the duration of the activity unless they are fully vaccinated (see above for more details.) Individuals are responsible for following these rules - Players should have multiple masks with them to change masks throughout games/practices should they become sweat soaked.
- Players on the sideline will be positioned so they are 6 ft. apart as much as practical.
- Players must provide their own equipment for the season. Shin guards, balls, goalie gloves may not be shared.
- Parents are advised participants to wipe down/disinfect their equipment between usage such as shin guards, balls and goalie gloves.
Flag Football
- Face Coverings - All staff, participants, coaches and spectators are required to wear a face mask for the duration of the activity unless they are fully vaccinated (see above for more details.) Individuals are responsible for following these rules - Players should have multiple masks with them to change masks throughout games/practices should they become sweat soaked.
- Tomaso Field spectators must sit outside of the ball field fences.
- We advise participants to wipe down/disinfect their equipment between usage such as their flags.
Adult Softball
Participants must maintain 6 ft. distancing when not on the field. This includes the dugout where only 3 people are allowed at a time. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs to extend the dugouts so distancing can be achieved.
Basketball/Volleyball
Players, Coaches, and spectators (when allowed) are required to wear face covering over their mouth and nose at all times.
Below are more details on the health guidelines of our program.
- Please follow the ENTRY DIAGRAM to help minimize crowds. Do not arrive in the building more than 5 minutes before your activity.
- We encourage parents to buy their child their own basketball.
- Huntley Park District will supply equipment (balls and cones) but it will be shared equipment that is sanitized by Park District Staff after each use.
- All participants and spectators should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after each activity.
- Hand sanitizer and wipes will be available in the gym to use for participants, coaches and spectators
- Bleachers will be closed during the program. Chairs will be provided and properly distanced for each court.
- Players will be positioned to maintain 6 feet apart on the bench.
- Spectators should remain 6 feet apart unless they are in the same household.
- Spectators are limited to one per household when attending the program, unless otherwise noted.
- Practice times will be staggered allowing for time for gym to clear before a new group may enter. Arrive no more than 5 minutes prior to your scheduled start time.
- Please use the South entrance to enter and exit for the program. Follow the flow chart provided for entering and exiting the gym for the program.
- If you arrive to a field or gym and the prior group is still using the facility, please do not enter until they have left.
- No team snacks or drinks at any time.
- No team huddles. Team meetings should be conducted such that the coaches and all participants are at least 6 ft. a part.
- No contact with players, including high fives, fist bumps, etc.
Pickleball
- Face coverings that cover your nose and mouth are required in the building and while participating unless you are fully vaccinated (see above for more details).
- Equipment will be available to use in the storage room where the pickleball nets are located.
- Nets are to be set up and taken down by participants. Once nets are returned to the storage area, please leave the used bags for the day on the floor so staff can identify what is to be disinfected.
- Paddles and balls can be used and must be returned when done playing. If you borrow a paddle to use, please wipe it down with wipes provided in the storage room
- Equipment including the nets & balls will be disinfected after use by PD personnel.
- Players should use the 4 outer courts (4 corner courts) first before filling the middle courts to maximize physical distancing.
- A maximum of 50 total participants will be allowed in the gym at any one time – 25 players/side of the gym. Capacity limits may change based on current health & safety restrictions.
- If social distancing cannot be maintained during game play, participants should still maintain 6-ft of distancing whenever not directly involved in gameplay.
- No handshakes at beginning or end of matches
- We encourage participants to bring their own paddles
- Players should stay on their side of the court and avoid changing sides during match play
- Playing singles is encouraged, but not required
- Participants MUST be registered for the program due to current health restrictions. Drop-in participation is not allowed until further notice. Please check in near the front desk on the wall looking into the gym.