While the reopening of gymnasiums and athletic facilities are among allowed activities in Phase 2 of Washington State’s “Safe Start” plan, the YMCAs on the Olympic Peninsula aren’t set to open just yet.

All Olympic Peninsula YMCA locations — including the YMCA of Sequim, YMCA of Port Angeles and YMCA of Jefferson County — will remain closed during Phase 2, organization representatives said last week, with all classes, programs, and events cancelled or postponed until further notice.

The association plans to reopen YMCA facilities during Phase 3 at 50 percent capacity.

Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Cameron said if the county can avoid any major outbreaks, it’s possible the state could approve it to apply for Phase 3 as early as June 22.

“We do not have an official opening date yet for any of our facilities, as we do not know exactly when our county will move to Phase 3 (but) we will let our members and the community know as soon as we are able to safely re-open,” said Erin Hawkins, marketing and communications director for Olympic Peninsula YMCA.

“We miss our members and program participants dearly and can’t wait to reopen.”

Peninsula YMCA facilities closed on March 17.

YMCA staff have been busy during the shutdown, Hawkins noted, making check-in calls to senior members to see if they need any resources during their social isolation, sending out online workout videos every other day, providing emergency childcare at Dry Creek Elementary School in Port Angeles for first responders, essential workers and healthcare professionals and inviting school counselors to use the Sequim facility to provide essential services to students while schools remain closed.

Staff have also completed facility renovations such as draining, pressure washing and repainting the pools at the Sequim facility on North Fifth Avenue.

For more information contact Hawkins at erin@olympicpeninsulaymca.org or 360-452-9244, x896.