It is hard to believe we are finally here on the eve of opening day.    Before you come to the pool tomorrow, here are some reminders about the 2020 Season.  

• Club Hours remain the same.    We open at 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday, and open at 10 a.m. Tuesday through  Saturday.   We close each evening at 8 p.m.
• Your key fob is required to enter and exit the club each day.    In order to get a key fob or a replacement one, you must  be paid in full.    Everyone age 12 and older needs a key fob.   Please make sure to let the office know where you are sitting when you enter and leave, so that we can sanitize the chairs between patrons. 
• Masks must be worn when entering or exiting the club, in the bathrooms, and when you are not able to remain socially distant.   As per the CDC, children under the age of 2 are not required to wear a mask.    Additionally, masks are not allowed in the water.
• Bathrooms will be cleaned and disinfected at 15 past the hour at the end of adult swim.    Shoes or flip flops are required when entering the bathroom.
• All food and drink must be consumed in the snack bar area.    When you are finished at your table, please alert the snack bar attendant, so that we can disinfect your table for the next member.
• Guests are not allowed for the first two weeks of operation, or until Governor Murphy increases the maximum number allowed in New Jersey for outside events to 500 people. 
• Glass containers are not allowed anywhere on property.   Broken glass would require the pool to be drained and refilled.   Please leave anything glass at home.
• Toys are only allowed in the kiddie pool.   Flotation devices are not allowed in any pool.
• There is no hot food in the snack bar to start.   We are selling bottled water, gatorade, cans of soda, yogurts, chips, granola bars, and ice cream.   Please bring exact change when possible.   
• Please remember to bring your own volleyball, funnel ball, basketball, or ping pong if you would like to play any of these games.    The office can not lend out this equipment.
• Please make sure to take all of your belongings home with you at the end of the day.    We are unable to maintain a lost and found this year.

We thank you in advance for your patience as we begin this season, and adjust to operating differently.  Please ensure you discuss our guidelines with everyone on your membership, especially any children. All of the steps that we are taking this year are meant to decrease your risk.  If you need additional information, please check our Covid-19 plan on our website at NSC Announcements.  Attached to this email you will also find our Frequently Asked Questions for 2020.  Any additional questions can be directed to our email at [email protected].   
With that in mind, we are continuing to infuse old school family fun into the Norwood Whalers community.   Some new and exciting things to look forward to this year include:

• Our apparel sale is live and includes items with both a retro logo and a new logo.   Order by the 6/30 deadline and the items will be delivered to your home by mid July.    All ordering is online at NSC Apparel Order
• Whale masks (check out the design online on our Facebook or Instagram page) are available while supplies last.  Kids sizes are available.   Kids masks are $10 and Small and Large Adult masks are $15.
• New this year, starting on Tuesday night, a few lap lanes will be put in the pool to accommodate lap swimming from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.    Only lap swimming will be allowed in these lanes.    The number of lanes will be adjusted based on demand.    Please make sure to adhere to our social distancing guidelines.
• Stay tuned for weekly updates and more fun events to come as the summer progresses....

See you at the pool TOMORROW!!!
The Board and Management of the Norwood Swim Club

Our anticipated opening date is Monday, June 22nd.     Management is working tirelessly to get everything ready prior to that time.   There are new rules and regulations we will need to follow in order to get all of the local health approvals to operate, so this is a target date.   

In order to create a plan for the safe operation of the club, we have consulted with the following resources: The Center for Disease Control, The American Red Cross, The New Jersey Pools Managers Association, and State and Local Government (Executive Order 153).    Upon extensive review and planning, we are pleased to communicate our 2020 opening guidelines.    As you can imagine there will be some changes to the way we operate this year.   

Hours of Operation (No changes)

• Sunday and Monday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Membership/Guests

• All members must be registered and paid in full via community pass prior to entering the swim club. No membership transactions will be completed at the front office.
• All members over the age of 12 must have a key fob to swipe in and SWIPE OUT (new this year) so that we can maintain the headcount in the club at all times.
• Pursuant the governor’s regulation of 250 people for outdoor gatherings, there will be no guests allowed at the club to start. After two weeks, we will allow 2 guests per membership, based on outdoor gathering regulations.
• All guest fees will be paid in advance via credit card in Community Pass. No methods of payment will be exchanged at the front desk. 
• We are currently accepting new members at this time, but expect to cap membership based on demand.

Entering the Club

• Masks must be worn for all patrons over the age of 2 from your car to your umbrella/seating area. No one will be allowed to enter without a face covering (both mouth and nose).
• There will be floor graphics outside the club telling you where to stand in line to enter. Please stand on these signs in your family unit if you need to wait to enter the club.
• Outside the entrance there will be a table with hand sanitizer, a reminder of our pool rules, and Covid-19 warning signs. No one will be permitted to enter the pool if exhibiting any of these signs.
• Please sanitize your hands prior to entry. Feel free to bring your own sanitizer if you prefer.   
• Once it is your turn for entry, step forward and swipe your membership key fob. You will not be able to enter the club without your fob.   If you lost your FOB or need a replacement, please stay tuned for our membership day prior to opening, when you can stop by and pick up a new one from a table outside the club.
• Tell the office worker which pod/seating area you would like to sit at. They will then reserve this for you during your time at the club.   
• Proceed to your designated location and set up for the day. Although the chairs and umbrella stands will be sanitized between patrons, feel free to bring your own cleaning supplies for extra safety.

Exiting the Club

• Make sure to take ALL of your belongings. Nothing can be left at the club.   This includes chairs or any other items.   No lost and found will be maintained this year. 
• All patrons over the age of 2 must wear a mask.
• Be mindful of anyone entering the club. Only one family unit can enter or exit at one time.  
• Notify the front office staff member of the area that you are leaving so that it can be cleaned and sanitized for the next guest/family.
• SWIPE OUT. This is new this year, and is essential in ensuring we are tracking and limiting our capacity as required.  

Pods or Seating Areas

• Each umbrella that is open (they will be limited to ensure social distancing) will have one lounge chair and 3 regular chairs. These chairs must stay under the umbrellas and not be shared with other families.
• Pods and Seating areas will be disinfected by Office Staff once guests leave.
• Masks are not required while under your umbrella or while social distancing.

Snack bar

• Tables have been spaced in new cement areas and shuffleboard courts to allow for social distancing.
• To start the season, the snack bar will offer cans of soda, bottled waters, Gatorades, chips, and ice cream only.
• Use the social distancing markings on the floor to wait in line to order.
• Use the hand sanitizing station in the snack bar area.
• All prices will be whole dollars. No coins will be accepted or exchanged.  Exact change is appreciated.
• Notify the snack bar attendant when you leave your table, so that it can be sanitized prior to the next guest.
• Picnic tables in the grass are for additional seating.
• As always, please remove all trash and personal items immediately after finishing in this area to allow for all to use.
• Outside food is permitted. Please ask the delivery person to meet you outside the front gate to receive your food.

Lifeguards and Staff

• All staff members will be temperature checked daily.
• Please maintain social distancing from the lifeguards and staff members when possible.
• As per American Red Cross Guidelines, lifeguards cannot wear masks while in the guard chair.
• A lifeguard gathering area will be designated, patrons are not allowed in this area, except for First Aid.

Bathrooms

• No one can enter the bathrooms without a mask (over 2) and shoes.
• The bathrooms will be closed at 15 after each hour and cleaned, stocked, and sanitized by the lifeguards.
• No items can be left at any time in the bathroom or locker room area.
• Everyone must wash their hands for 20 seconds while in the bathroom or locker room.

Pools

• Pools will have max capacity limits based on square footage.
• Social distancing to be maintained while in pools.
• Masks are not allowed in the pool.
• Toys are only allowed in the kiddie pool and must be taken home each evening.
• Non potty trained children are only allowed in the kiddie pool with a swim diaper.

Swim Team/Swim Lessons

• Swim/Dive Team and Swim Lessons will not begin when we open. The New Jersey Pool Mangers Association has already cancelled the Bergen County championships for 2020.  As guidelines are relaxed by the state, we will look into options which could include intramural swim and dive team and smaller lessons in age appropriate groupings.   

Activities

• Norwood Swim Club is proud to offer knock hockey, table tennis, basketball, funnel ball, volleyball and more. To start, please bring your own paddles and balls to participate in these activities as they will not be distributed by the office. 

As you can see this is a comprehensive plan to ensure your safety and allow us to open the club this summer.    We are confident that we can count on you to be patient and understanding as we work through our new processes.     We know that even though there are some changes, Norwood Swim Club will always be the small, private, family orientated club that you have come to know and love.    

As the season progresses we will be adding programming and events, as allowed, to enhance your NSC experience.     Stay tuned for our apparel sale to be launched shortly.  

We are looking forward to making memories with you this summer at the Norwood Swim Club.   If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].    Additionally, please review the list of frequently asked questions for your reference.  Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our latest updates.

So excited to be able to finally say….See you at the pool!

The Board and Management of the Norwood Swim Club