Enhanced schedule includes the start of a 5-week Fall program session beginning on September 21.

With its two month-long phased reopening plans complete, the YMCA of Metro North has announced it will add more classes to its schedules and will open its last fitness center at the Saugus YMCA on September 8.

“We have a couple of months of data under our belt about what is working or not. We revised our safety and cleaning procedures when we saw issues and kept adapting,” said Kathleen Walsh, President and CEO, YMCA of Metro North. “Now, our Saugus fitness center will open, and we feel pretty confident about adding more open hours and classes to the schedule.”

The association developed a phased reopening plan for each of its four fitness centers and gymnastics center with enhanced safety features, including the use of face covering when working out in most building areas. They also installed 6-foot plexiglass shields between cardio equipment and mandatory reservations for pool lanes and group classes to control group sizes.

“We followed the lead of other YMCAs across the country and opened branches slowly,” said Jen Conway, Executive Director, Saugus YMCA. “Our gymnastics center and summer camp opened earlier in the summer and got some great feedback from participants. We’re ready for our fitness center members now and can’t wait to see them back.”

Some areas of its facilities will remain closed, including saunas, steam rooms, and locker rooms. Child watch services will open with limited hours at its Torigian YMCA branch in Peabody. The association branches are also purchasing outdoor tents to host a selection of its group exercise classes as the weather turns colder.

“We plan to introduce more activities and amenities as we get additional guidance from health officials, and when we know that we can do things safely,” said Rob Lowell, Executive Director, Torigian Family YMCA. “We are not out of the woods yet. We will continue with an abundance of caution as we add more classes, more family activities, and open the Fall program session.”

Interested members can view the YMCA of Metro North Fall classes: https://www.ymcametronorth.org/programs/