Optimal Fitness in Seeley Lake will reopen May 15.
SEELEY LAKE – "I miss the sounds of the gym. I'm just really excited to hear the hum of people," said Terryl Bartlett, Owner of Optimal Fitness in Seeley Lake. "I love that gym, I love all the people that come and I cannot wait to open the doors."
After being closed since March 18, Optimal Fitness will reopen May 15. While hours will be reduced and hourly sign ups required, Bartlett is doing everything she can to make the gym as safe, clean and accessible as possible while complying with the Governor's order.
When Bartlett was forced to shutter the gym March 18 due to Missoula City-County Health Department countywide order, she had hoped to be able to reopen March 24. However that hope was lost when Governor Steve Bullock issued a statewide closure through March 27, then extended to April 15 and again into Phase 1 reopening.
Optimal Fitness suspended all memberships until reopening, which is great for the gym members whose time will restart when the gym reopens. However the natural flow of money that comes in from the renewal of around 130 memberships stopped, yet Bartlett still had to pay all the regular monthly bills.
Bartlett received self-employed unemployment and received a $1,000 loan from the Small Business Association to help cover costs. She also applied for assistance through the coronavirus relief fund since her main age demographic is around age 65.
"They may be spooked for a while. I just don't know what that is going to do to me financially," said Bartlett. "There are just so many unknowns."
Bartlett said she was the only one shutdown due to COVID-19 in her immediate family. Both of her sons and their wives could still work so she took all four grandchildren.
"Mentally it has been tough because I gave up my life and my livelihood to help my family," said Bartlett. "I would do it again and I will continue to do it...but you kind of lose your identity along the way."
The roller coaster of emotions has also been challenging as Bartlett hangs on any shred of hope to reopen.
"I can get super blue about it," said Bartlett. "I'm just so anxious to go back."
On May 7, Bullock announced additional Phase One guidelines that will allow gyms and fitness studios, movie theaters and museums the option to reopen beginning Friday, May 15 as long as they adhere to strict guidelines limiting capacity, requiring social distancing and imposing thorough sanitation requirements.
"In consultation with public health experts, we have determined that these businesses can carefully reopen under strict capacity, social distancing and sanitation guidelines," Governor Bullock said. "As Montana continues to aggressively manage the virus and we move forward with the plan to reopen, I am again reminding Montanans that social distancing is vital to continue curbing the virus. All of us must do our part to stay open and stay on a path of decline in positive cases."
Missoula City-County Health Department released a statement May 9 concurring with the Governor's directive for Missoula County. It stated, "With no new cases in over two weeks, no active cases and no close contacts in quarantine, the health department believes reopening these facilities can happen responsibly."
Under the current restrictions, Optimal Fitness can only have five people in the gym at a time, they must be a member to use the facility and the gym must be staffed.
While the hours are subject to change, Optimal Fitness will be open Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. starting May 15. Users must sign up on the posted sheet for one-hour slots. Transitions will happen on the hour and clients will enter and exist at different doors to avoid congestion. Members are encouraged to sign up ahead of time but they can call the gym (677-7732) to make sure there is an opening.
Bartlett takes pride in how clean the gym has been kept in the past, thanks to the cooperation of users wiping down machines after use. During the closure, the classroom was remodeled, equipment was maintained and parts of the gym were painted. She said the cleanliness has been taken to a whole new level and all use areas will be frequently sanitized. She also switched to single-use disinfectant wipes for the machines. Customers are encouraged to bring their own personal protective gear.
Bartlett appreciates the community support and asks for patience as the restrictions continue to change due to state and county directives. She asks that anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to please stay home. Those that are 75 and older should also reconsider coming for their protection as well as everyone else that would like to come.
"Exercise really is a mood booster and I'm really excited to see people come back, push their muscles, push their lungs, push their hearts and leave here smiling like they always did before," said Bartlett. "I miss everybody and I'm excited for them to come back."
The full order issued by Bullock is available at covid19.mt.gov.
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