Center for Healthy Living to reopen July 1

The UNMC Center for Healthy Living will reopen July 1 with limited capacity and a host of added safety precautions.

The center closed its doors in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting members to access the center’s virtual fitness classes, its social media exercise activities or find workout alternatives of their own.

“We are pleased to reopen in a limited capacity,” said Jayme Nekuda, associate director of human resources, benefits and work-life programs. “We also are mindful that the virus remains in our community; we’ll make adjustments as needed to keep our environment as clean and safe as we possibly can.”

Memberships will remain “frozen” unless members schedule a time to use the facility, said Rick Pruch, administrative business associate for the CFHL. At that time, the center would reinstate payroll deduction and restart the membership, he said. When members or students are ready to use the facility again, they need to call the center (402-559-5254) to get them started. The CFHL will send them an email invitation with a link to use the self-service portal to book workout reservations and instructions.

Members will be notified of the new safety precautions, which include:

• Requiring members to book reservations either online or by calling 402-559-5254. Drop-ins will not be allowed. Members will reserve a time slot on the hour or half hour (ie: 11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.) and the space they plan to use (cardio room, weight room, walking/running track in the gym).
• Requiring members to wear a mask when entering and exiting the facility and when in the locker rooms. Masks do not have to be worn while working out.
• Limiting the length of time a member is inside the facility to one hour and 15 minutes (time includes workout, changing and shower time).
• Reducing hours of operation: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
• Limiting use to the weight room, room with the aerobic equipment and the walking/running track in the gymnasium. Staff will monitor these areas.
• Closing the following areas at this time: gymnasium floor for team sports, ping pong and shuffleboard table. The fitness studio/classrooms will be open for individual use but will not hold any scheduled classes at this time.

The center’s massage therapist will be scheduling massages beginning July 6. Interested parties can call (402) 391-1882 to schedule an appointment. The therapist and client must both wear masks. In addition, all other Department of Health and Human Service guidelines will be followed.

“We are committed to doing all we can to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our members,” Nekuda said.