City Outlines Reopening Plan

OPEN UP AND RECOVER SAFELY

Craig Stephenson, City Manager for Ponca City, has released the following reopening information:

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Governor Stitt announced the reopening of the economy of the State of Oklahoma in a three Phase approach, OURS (Open Up and Recover Safely).   The City of Ponca City will follow the State of Oklahoma’s guidance in this plan, which can be accessed at

https://www.okcommerce.gov/wp-content/uploads/Open-Up-and-Recover-Safely-Plan.pdf

Since the Governor’s announcement of OURS, the City of Ponca City has been working on plans to gradually re-open City facilities that were closed due to the COVID 19 issue in March, such as the Ponca City Library, Marland Estate, Marland Grand Home, RecPlex, Park System, and Senior Center.  However, plans will be modified as necessary pursuant to any direction received from the State of Oklahoma.

Library

The Ponca City Library will re-open on Tuesday, May 5.  Hours of Operation will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

The following steps are being taken to Open Up and Recover Safely:

• Limit to one entrance/exit, this will be the west side entrance as it is handicap accessible.
• Six foot spacing markings within the building and at entrance.
• Limit to number of customers in building, based on the 6 foot social distancing.
• No meeting room reservations.
• Limited computer use due to 6 foot social distancing.
• Curb/parking lot/patio pick up.
• Online promotion of e-cards.
• Online promotion of placing on-shelf holds for staff to collect.
• Maintain a 3 day quarantine of returned physical materials.
• Extend video check out periods.
• Continue programming only online.
• Summer reading materials available on online or on paper.
• Provide increased sanitation and disinfection of common areas such as door knobs, railings, elevator, and restrooms.

Marland Estate and Marland Grand Home

The Marland Estate will re-open on Monday. May 4.  Hours of Operation will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

The Marland Grand Home will re-open on Tuesday, May 5.  Hours of Operation will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

The following steps are being taken to Open Up and Recover Safely:

• Limit to one entrance/exit, through the main entrance.
• Six foot spacing markings within the building and at entrance.
• Limit to number of customers in building, based on the 6 foot social distancing.
• No event rentals.
• No guided tours.
• Signage posted to remind customers to maintain 6 foot social distancing, wash hands, and limit touch points.
• Provide hand sanitizing stations.
• Provide increased sanitation and disinfection of common areas such as door knobs, railings, elevator, and restrooms.

RecPlex

The RecPlex will re-open on Monday, May 4.

Facility Hours of Operation:

5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday

Aquatics Area Hours of Operation:

6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday

The following steps are being taken to Open Up and Recover Safely:

• Basketball courts, racquetball courts, fitness studios, steam rooms, dry sauna, hot tub, and Kidzone will remain closed.
• All sports activities and leagues including volleyball, basketball, and pickleball remain suspended, as well as special events and facility rentals.
• Entry/Check-in:
• • Posted signs will advise those with symptoms of illness to leave the facility.
  • Designated floor-marks will aid patrons in keeping appropriate social distance from others as they check-in at the front desk.
  • Front-desk staff will use thermometers to measure temperatures of all patrons at check-in. Those with temperatures at or above 100.4° will be asked to leave.
  • Seating in the lobby area will be spaced to limit condensed congregating and to ensure social distancing.
• Rockwall:
• • Posted signs and floor-marks will designate appropriate spaces for climbers to occupy inside and outside the climbing area.
  • Only climbers will be allowed in the climbing area with staff. Spectators must remain behind the railing.
  • Climbers will sanitize hands before and after each climb.
  • Every other color set on the wall will be used during the climbing session.

• Fitness:

• • Programming for in-person fitness classes held at the RecPlex will remain suspended.
  • Instructors will continue to broadcast their classes via Facebook Live.
  • Exercise mats will be removed from use and placed in storage.
  • Increased sanitizing wipes and liquid hand sanitizer stations will be made available in the cardio and free-weight areas of the building.

• Aquatics:

• • Organized aquatics programming will remain suspended.
  • Increased signage will encourage users to practice social distancing from those outside their family group while in the aquatics area.
  • The family pool slide will remain closed.

RecPlex membership dues for May have been waived by a Supplemental Disaster Emergency Proclamation for all members of the RecPlex who were in good standing during the month of March.

Park and Recreation

The following areas will remain CLOSED at this time:  splash pads, playgrounds, ball fields, public restrooms, and park shelters.

In addition, the following are NOT available for rental at this time:  LA Cann Gardens, Unity Gym, Wentz Camp, and stage.

Senior Center

The overwhelming majority of Senior Center attendees find themselves in the category of being over the age of 65 or part of a vulnerable population. Under Oklahoma’s Open Up and Recover Safely plan this group has been advised to remain under the guidelines of the state’s safer-at-home policy. As a result this facility will remain closed to the public at this time.