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Niles Wellness Center reopens

To close Thursday for deep cleaning

NILES — The Niles Wellness Center at Waddell Park, which was closed for more than two months because of the coronavirus pandemic, has reopened with new guidelines in place for keeping visitors safe.

Niles Park Board President Harry Salapata said new park director Mark Pallante informed them at this month’s meeting of the changes in place for those who use the center and attend specific programs, some of which are starting again such as Zoomba and pickleball.

The center closed in late March after guidelines from Gov. Mike DeWine that recommended places such as gyms, health centers and other similar establishments close because of large crowds.

The center reopened earlier this month with officials noting there were some days that 70 to 80 people stopped in.

“Even though we are open again things will be different for those using the center,” Salapata said.

New guidelines state anyone, including those with membership passes, who comes into the center must sign in at the front desk.

Salapata said there also is a 6-foot distance guideline between people. This means those walking the track must be six feet apart with someone allowed to walk on lane one and someone else on lane four on the four-lane indoor track.

Since reopening, Pallante told the board exercise and other equipment was moved around in the fitness facility for social distancing, and guidelines on use of the facility are posted throughout the building,

Further changes include membership and monthly passes only with no day passes to be given, all food and beverage machines have been removed and hours have been cut back with the center opening at 7 a.m. and closing by 8 p.m.

Salapata said the staff is trained on sanitizing and disinfecting throughout the center. The center is scheduled to be closed Thursday for a company to do an extensive sanitizing.

Salapata said Pallante is working on getting someone to instruct spinning classes. Future plans are in place to offer chair stretching and yoga. Pallante also is looking into offering an adult kickball league, adult whiffle ball league and youth flag football league.

Salapata said the parks are open, but children’s play units are closed. He said the little league and other playing fields have reopened.

In other business, the board entered into an agreement with Peak Software Systems for recreation software for the center and the city parks at $8,455 for year one which includes scanner and fob, and ongoing license at $5,045 for year two. Salapata said there is a savings with the new system.

Pallante was also introduced at the June 15 meeting as the new park director. He was selected from 15 applicants.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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