SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Five locations of the San Diego County YMCA reopened today. They include Dan McKinney, Jackie Robinson, Magdalena Ecke, McGrath Family, and the Mission Valley branches.
But with ever-changing rules by the State and County, staff and members of the YMCA understand that this reopening may be short-lived.
Twice a day, Doug Harrigan would come to the Mission Valley YMCA. But since the COVID-19 quarantine began, he switched to working out at home.
"It's been rough," Harrigan said.
Now he's back.
"I had a chance to talk to the members that I used to see on a regular basis, and it just felt good to do a real workout in a gym rather than my living room."
Starting July 1, 2020, Mission Valley, Dan McKinney (La Jolla), Jackie Robinson (Mt. Hope), Magdalena Ecke (Encinitas), and McGrath Family (Spring Valley) YMCA branches are open, at a modified capacity.
"Masks required, health check stations, signage everywhere, and we've separated the fitness equipment to the 6-foot social distancing requirements," Assistant Executive Director of the Mission Valley YMCA, Jason Milosh said.
At this point, group exercise classes and pools remain closed.
Last week, some branches, including Mission Valley, opened up its Kids Day Camps. This year, space is extremely limited due to social distancing rules, and there will not be any field trips. But parents are happy that they are keeping busy.
"Summer learning loss has been aggravated by the challenges that our school system has had in the last few months of school," Molish said. "So, we have incorporated some more academic components to our summer camps to help kids bridge that summer learning loss."
But with the State and County coming out with new rules, seemingly every week, gyms and community centers like the YMCA, must be flexible.
"Re-closing is a possibility, and we are prepared for that," Milosh said. "We feel good about the precautions that we have taken, but if things worsen and it is determined that we need to close, then we are going to be prepared to do that."
But for Harrigan, he hopes it does not come down to that, because with the YMCA, he says he would look and feel much different.
"It is essential. If I did not work out, I'd probably be 250 pounds," Harrigan laughed.
On July 8, 2020, four more San Diego County YMCA branches will open. Those include Cameron Family (Santee), Copely-Price (City Heights), Toby Wells (Kearny Mesa), and the South Bay (Chula Vista) Family branches.
Milosh also says he also hopes to reopen the pools for lap swim workouts by next week.
For more information about YMCA reopenings, click HERE.