what NGC is doing as we prepare to reopen

I hope you all are well and have been staying safe. I’m sure this has been an incredibly trying time for everyone as no one expected such a crisis. Thankfully, we are all starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel and if we all continue to do as recommended, we will make it through.

Last month, we teamed up with gymnastics facilities/owners and coaches across the state by petitioning our governor’s office to allow gym’s in Illinois to open for training beyond outdoor groups and private lessons with the start of Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan. Last Sunday we received the GOOD NEWS that our plans were approved! With limited participants, social distancing, diligent/specific cleaning as well as making sure we follow guidelines set forth by USA Gymnastics, the CDC and IL State guidelines for Youth Sports pertaining to the COVID-19 crisis, we are definitely going to be prepared for June 15th!

Below is a list of what NGC is doing as we prepare to reopen:

• We’ve been thoroughly cleaning and getting the gym ready for everyone’s return, including steam cleaning, using the CDC recommended vaporizers on all areas of the gym including foam pits, equipment & mats.
• Disinfecting all training aides, weights, etc.. with Lysol & Clorox foam sprays/wipes.
• UV Wand disinfecting begins next week.
• We are discontinuing use of the drinking fountain except for refilling water bottles.
• Touchless dispensers will be used in our restrooms. Also, we are looking into touchless toilets and sinks.
• Students will no longer use a community chalk bin to prevent some spreading of germs.
• Designated areas are marked on the floor to remind students to practice social distancing.
• Time is allotted between classes to allow traffic to flow to avoid clusters of students.
• Students must come to the gym dressed/prepared for class.
• A wellness check will be done upon “check-in”/arrival to make sure that students are free of any noticeable health issues and are fever free.
• Drop off and pick up areas for students will be designated prior to the start of their first class.
• School age, developmental, tumbling, and cheer students must be dropped off/picked up only.
• Lobby seating will be limited to spectators with students age 4 & under (or in the preschool program).
• Any adults in the facility observing preschool classes must wear a face covering/mask. We are also limiting 1 adult per pre school student to prevent any necessary exposure to our students and staff (NOTE: viewing allowed for for students 5 and under only.) Live streaming will be available soon for classes of students age 6 & up.

Class/Session Information

Everyone enrolled in Winter 2 will be able to resume classes starting June 15th. The Winter session will end June 30th.

Those who pre-registered for the Spring session will be transferred to the Summer session (omitting the Spring session in it’s entirety).

If our “Buy two, get one free” or “one-year program” applies to your students registration, it will automatically re-start June 15th.

During the first week of June we will send out class time and date options for those enrolled in the unfinished Winter session.

We will start taking registrations for the Summer session on June 1st.

Please be sure to check your email in the next few days to see the options for make-up classes from the Winter session. The email will list days and times the classes will be offered from June 15th-June 30th. In the same email you will also receive the Summer schedule along with our new NGC newsletter called “Kipping” You Informed 

We pray that you all have all stayed healthy and can’t wait to have you back! We know that staying home has made everyone restless and for the safety of the athletes, getting back into the swing of things will things will be slow. The NGC staff is looking forward to your safe return!