You’d think the Saugatuck Rowing Club‘s biggest COVID concern is its regattas.
Sure, races are held outdoors. But rowers are packed tightly together. They breathe heavily. The cox shouts.
The coronavirus did impact competitors. All 2020 regattas were canceled. Junior rowers are still not allowed to practice until at least January 19.
But fewer than 20% of Saugatuck Rowing Club members actually row. Most adults join for the state-of-the-art fitness center (and social activities).
Saugatuck Rowing Club (Drone photo/Ward French)
So when SRC opened up again in June, one of the most important issues was air quality and circulation in the weight and cardio room.
Which led the club to something most rowers and coaches never think about: ionization.
After diligent research, SRC installed “needlepoint bipolar ionization” —a technology used in hospitals, airline terminals and office headquarters around the country that deactivates airborne bacteria and viruses by up to 99%, while reducing allergens and mold — in their 9 HVAC systems.
They overhauled their infrastructure, making the entire building — including the restaurant — as safe as possible.
Ionization work at the Saugatuck Rowing Club fitness center.
The $12,000 job was completed in November.
“You can’t put a price on safety,” says director of marketing, membership and events Diana Kuen. “It was important to do more than just open windows and hope for the best.”
That’s not all. Owner Howard Winklevoss took advantage of the downtime to replace the entire back wall with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, creating a sweeping view of the river.
New full-length windows in the Regatta Room.
He’s adding a full-service café, and replacing the carpet with (cleaner) hardwood floors.
A big party is planned — as soon as large crowds can gather again.
Meanwhile, a new app allows the club to monitor usage (only 12 people are allowed on the gym floor at a time), and trace contacts. (As much fitness training as possible is still done outdoors.)
Outdoor workouts, at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.
A special website allows members to take classes from home (Zoom or livestream), or in person. There are over 100 group fitness videos in the library.
Because only 4 junior rowers are allowed on site at a time, the club lent 70 indoor rowing machines to those who did not already have them. They’re continuing winter training via Zoom, 5 times a week for 2 1/2 hours a day
Meanwhile, Kuen continues to coach the breast cancer survivors (“Survive-OARS“) 3 days a week.
The pandemic has not slowed them — or any other member — down.
And when they work out inside, they are grateful to do so surrounded by newly ionized air.
(To learn more about the ionization technology, email SRC general manager Scott Armstrong: sarmstrong@saugatuckrowing.com.)
Now…. That’s what you call stepping up to the plate!!!!
Sounds like snake oil and does not eliminate the very real threat of dining inside.