Amenities open for Labor Day weekend
SOME OPENINGS SET FOR SEPT. 4
by Kathy Thayer
assistant recreation manager
On Aug. 18, the newly formed COVID- 19 Ad Hoc Committee reviewed and approved Emergency Operational Procedures that will lead to the opening of some outdoor amenities while under the pandemic restrictions.
The policies governing Veterans Plaza and Mission Park were approved at the Aug. 25 GRF Board meeting.
Subsequently, a special board meeting was scheduled for Aug. 31 to determine the reopening dates for these activities. As a result, Veterans Plaza will be open to dance and exercise clubs who meet the criteria that follows on Sept. 4.
Mission Park Multipurpose Courts are scheduled to open on Sept. 4 and the bocce ball court will also reopen on Sept. 4 as part of the Phase 2 openings.
In the drafting and subsequent committee review of the proposed emergency action policy, key areas of committee deliberation were focused on:
• Number of Seal Beach COVID-19 cases as reported by the Orange County Health authority to date.
• Number of COVID-19 deaths
• A majority of the over 9,000 community members are clearly in the “at risk” category, due to age or preexisting medical conditions
• Rules must also take into consideration caregivers, shareholders/members, guests
• GRF as an employer has the obligation to establish rules to project the health and safety of its employees
• Proposed actions must represent mutual benefit for a majority of shareholder/ members The golf course has already reopened, and its rules were published previously ( see the Aug. 6 edition). While some of the rules may appear restrictive in these policies, they are subject to modification as the pandemic abates.
New rules governing GRF amenities are as follows: Veterans Plaza – Phase One - Emergency Operational Procedures Due to government restrictions and recommendations brought about by the pandemic, this policy is enacted to allow for reopening the Veterans Plaza under emergency operational procedures.
• The Recreation Department will make Veterans Plaza available for exercise and dance clubs, in good standing.
• All reservations must be made through the Recreation Department by email or telephone. Contact kathyt@ lwsb. com for eligibility and availability.
• Reservations are limited to 90 minutes, no more than once a week, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Reservations may be preempted by GRF for special events.
• In case of multiple similar clubs requesting a reservation, remaining time slots will be awarded by lottery.
• The Recreation Department determines by its discretion if a particular activity is appropriate for this venue.
• No unscheduled event will be allowed at any time. Participation is solely at participants’ own risk.
• Masks and six-foot distancing are required at all times. No physical contact between participants is allowed.
• Group sizes may be required to be reduced to meet social distancing guidelines. Only GRF members may participate; no guests are permitted.
• No sign in sheets are required, but GRF reserves the right to reinstitute them at any time.
• Staff may ask to see participant’s GRF ID at any time.
• All classes are self-managed and must provide their own equipment.
• No tables, chairs, or equipment are provided by GRF.
• Clubhouse 3 restrooms will be available through the lobby and no more than two people are permitted in either restroom at a time. Mission Park, Phase One-Emergency Operational Procedures Multipurpose Court The following procedure has been expanded pursuant to regulations recommended by the USA Pickleball Association and incorporates guidelines for at risk senior communities in particular.
• Play at the Multipurpose Court, when opened, must be booked through the Recreation Department by email only.
No unscheduled games will be allowed.
• Requests are accepted at http://www.lwsb.com/reserve/
Monday-Sunday before 4 p.m. for play the following day.
• Staff may request a player’s GRF ID at any time.
• Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. They are posted on the court and the website.
• Scheduling will be adjusted by management as needed to satisfy safety requirements and conform to Staff hours.
• GRF may close the facility completely without notice.
• No after game congregation/ socializing is permitted in Mission Park, the parking lot or the immediate surrounding area. After their match, players must promptly leave the Mission Park/ Clubhouse 2 area.
• To eliminate touch points, benches, score tenders, and all tables and chairs will be removed.
• Face coverings must be worn in all areas until playing begins on the court. Face coverings also must be worn after play is completed.
• Social distancing as defined by the CDC (maintaining six feet of distance) must be maintained at all times.
• Participants should wash their hands with soap and water (for 20 seconds or longer) or use a hand sanitizer before and after each match.
• A disinfecting/sanitizing bucket will be on site, between Bocce and Multipurpose courts for players to use to clean balls and paddles.
• The Clubhouse 2 restrooms will be made available; however, no more than two players per restroom will be permitted at a time.
• Pickleball games (or other Multipurpose Court games) are limited to one hour of play.
• Playing doubles, which could lead to incidental contact and unwanted proximity, is prohibited.
• Players must provide their own paddles, balls and gloves.
• Players must wear gloves when handling the ball and not touch other players’ equipment.
• Should a ball identified with another player wind up on your side of the court, do not touch the ball with your hands.
Use your paddle or feet to advance the ball to the other side of the court. Mission Park, Phase Two -Emergency Operational Procedures Bocce Ball
• Bocce Ball must be reserved through the Recreation Department.
Requests are accepted at
http://www.lwsb.com/reserve/
daily before 4 p.m. for play the following day.
• The reservation schedule will be provided to the Clubhouse 2 custodian. Players must check in with Staff to verify their reservation.
• Staff may request GRF ID at any time.
• Hours of play will be between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Hours may be changed at the discretion of GRF.
• No unscheduled games will be allowed.
• Only two players per onehour session.
• No spectators are permitted.
• Bocce Ball players must provide gloves and they must always be worn when handling the balls.
• Face coverings must be worn in all areas.
Social distancing, as defined by the CDC of maintaining six feet of distance, must be observed at all times.
• A sanitizing bucket will be provided between bocce and pickleball courts for cleaning equipment.
• Players should wash their hands with soap and water (for 20 seconds or longer) or use a hand sanitizer before and after play.
• To eliminate touch points, benches, score tenders, and all tables and chairs will be removed.
• No gathering will be permitted before or after games.
• The Clubhouse 2 restrooms will be made available. No more than two players will be permitted at any time. Dr. Anberry Basketball Hoop
• The clubhouse custodian will provide a basketball for play.
• Only one player at a time.
• Face coverings must be worn in all areas at all times.
• Use of the hoop will be on a first come, first served
• Play will be restricted to one hour unless no one is waiting.
• No loitering is permitted.
• Hours of play will be between 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
General Outdoor Use/ Barbecue Area This area will remain closed until further notice. All furniture and equipment have been removed to discourage loitering.
For more information, contact kathyt@lwsb. com.
Expect some traffic delays.
The 405 Community Outreach Team is Still Working
For more project information, email 405project@octa.net or call (888) 400-8994. The 405 Improvement team is brainstorming new ways to keep the community engaged and informed in a time of social distancing.
The I-405 Improvement Project mobile app includes quick access to current traffic conditions, closures and detours, along with project updates and links to contact the project team.
It’s vailable for download on the Apple Store or Google Play.
