They didn’t adhere to 6 feet of social distancing, but all of these swimmers wore mask as they headed into the 3 p.m. session Wednesday at the Rio Rancho Aquatic Center. Photo by Gary Herron.
The Rio Rancho Aquatic Center opened June 2 for lap swimming only and with restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Precautionary measures including altered hours of operation, enhanced cleaning procedures, strict distancing guidelines and adjusted capacity limits.
The public can reserve pool lanes by calling 891-5230 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty lanes (11 for lap swim; nine for water-walking) will be available to reserve in one-hour increments.
Aquatic Center hours:
Monday-Friday: 6 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed noon-1:30).
Saturday: Noon-5.
Sunday: Closed.
Precautions and operational changes enforced:
• Lane Reservation: One hour per reservation and one reservation per day. Call 24 hours ahead to reserve lane, and users may not attend two consecutive days unless there is a vacancy to allow for more user equity. A receptionist will call wait-listed patrons to notify if there are vacancies;
• Number of swimmers allowed in the facility will be reduced based on physical distancing guidelines;
• Wearing of face coverings is required when entering the facility and in all areas except the pool;
• No gatherings on deck will be allowed;
• Signage will be placed throughout the facility to remind the public of physical distancing;
• Patrons must wait outside of the facility until their reservation time;
• When waiting in line outside of the facility, patrons are required to maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves and others;
• Individuals showing any symptoms of illness should not use the facility, and high-risk individuals are discouraged from using the facility;
• One person per lap lane;
• No locker use and no shower use, swimmers must shower at home;
• All staff will wear face coverings, utilize hand-held whistles, and have an air horn on stand for emergency situations;
• Comprehensive Disinfectant Procedure: There will be a 30-minute gap between reservations to allow for patrons to exit the building, and staff to disinfect door handles, handrails, deck chairs, lifeguard stands, lane partitions, sinks, soap, restroom stalls, rescue tubes, toilet levers, etc.;
• Entry of patrons and exit of patrons will follow separate pathways. All lanes and grid space will be labeled and assigned as necessary;
• There will be no equipment for patron-sharing usage.
The current and amended public health orders (stay-at-home orders) issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathyleen Kunkel limits private and public mass gatherings to no more than five individuals in a single room or connected space where individuals are within 6 feet of each other.
In order to minimize the number of people gathering in city facilities, residents are asked to make reservations prior to visiting in-person.
Visit rrnm.gov/covid19 for a complete list of closures and for updates about facility access and services.
