Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Exercise Programs » State’s tennis facilities begin week open, but proceeding with caution – Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel

AUGUSTA It was just after noon Monday at the A-Copi Tennis and Sports Center, and on the back court there was one pickleball game going, with one player waiting his or her turn to play.

Usually, at mid-day on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, there would be dozens either lined up or on the court. But not now. Not with the coronavirus pandemic dominating the news.

Normally, thered be 20 to 25 people here, Augusta resident Wayne Saucier said. And here its just the five of us.

Still, it was something, which has been hard to find since sports on all levels started screeching to a halt last Wednesday in response to the spread of the coronavirus. While five players played pickleball Monday afternoon, the remaining A-Copi courts were occupied with tennis players, providing one example of sports continuing to shoulder on.

I do think its important, because we do our best job to try to make this place a safe environment that people can come to, and people love coming here and getting some exercise, A-Copi manager Alex Stern said. Being active, I think, is still a huge part of staying healthy.

That said, Stern knows the situation, and while its business as usual at the club, its done with safety in mind and an eye on the news in case anything changes.

Were making sure that we sanitize everything that people touch. Lockers, for example, were spraying down, sanitizing. Were wiping down tables, benches, he said. Thats been the mind frame. Open, but cautious. If we need to close down, I have no problem closing down. Its a day-by-day thing.

Its a similar approach taken by other facilities across the state. Maine Pines Racquet and Fitness in Brunswick was open Monday, a staffer said, but only to adults, while kids and exercise programs have been suspended. Apex Racket and Fitness in Portland postponed group activities, but had planned to open for individuals looking to use the courts.

Late Monday afternoon, however, came a recommendation from the city that fitness centers close for five days, and Apex owner and general manager Stephan Woods said his club was obliging.

We had been in contact with pretty much all the other tennis clubs throughout the state, and we were all sharing information, he said. What we were hearing was that a lot of tennis clubs in Maine were going to be staying open, so we were adhering to that.

The health and safety of our clients are of utmost importance. Its certainly going to create a severe hardship, for not only the employees but the business itself.

For the centers that remain open however long the players who use them are happy to still have the resource.

Its great to have this facility open at this time, Saucier, 69, said. Probably wishful thinking that it will remain open. It was good to hear (they were open) because we get to stay active. We dont have to stay locked up in the house.

Its excellent, said Augustas Joy Lanzilotta, 74. Because I do think its important at our age that we do stay physically fit. I think if youre taking 10 to 14 days off, that your body will feel that and notice it, and it wont be healthy.

Some players were skeptical about going to the courts, given the news from the past several days.

I had serious doubts about even coming today, Gardiners Greg Kaloust, 69, said. Im not sure its a good idea, but I figured thered be a handful of people here, so Id volunteer for it. But I had concerns.

Others werent worried.

I dont think people should be in panic mode, Winthrops Dianne Pinto, 50, said. If youre not sick, I dont see why you cant go out and continue to live your life and be careful. Just like you would if you had the common cold. Wash your hands. If youre sick, stay home. This is nice, that they actually came out and they played.

None whatsoever, Lanzilotta answered when asked if she had reservations about playing. And as I said to one of my friends who is staying home, you will probably go to the grocery store. You will touch something. How do you know (its clean)?

Like their clubs, some players are taking their participation day by day. Kaloust, for instance, said he felt better Monday about being with players he knew and with whom he had already been in contact.

Its a calculation, he said. Its good to get out. If on Wednesday I come and there are 60 people here waiting to play, Ill probably go home.

Its anyones guess how long that option will be there.

For right now, were going to stay open, but we may end up closing as well, Stern said. Were keeping a very close eye on whats going on.

Previous

Next

Latest Articles

Community

Community

Community

Community

Local & State

Read the original post:
State's tennis facilities begin week open, but proceeding with caution - Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Exercise Programs » State’s tennis facilities begin week open, but proceeding with caution – Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel