Everything You Need to Know About the Gilruth Reopening

by Starport | 2021-05-14

The Gilruth Center is re-opening a few key services starting in May. Watch (above) and read more about it (below)!

Starport Fitness

Starport Fitness will reopen the Strength and Cardio Center at the Gilruth on May 17 with several COVID-19 prevention measures in place.

New Strength and Cardio Center allows for social distancing.

New Strength and Cardio Center layout allows for social distancing. Credits: Starport

Starport Fitness’s reopening plan includes:

Adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), administration, agency, center, and industry guidelines (e.g., American College of Sports Medicine and International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association)
Implementation of “best practices” from benchmarking with local and national fitness centers
Using a three-phase approach to re-opening

Phase 1

The Strength & Cardio Center (SCC)

Will reopen May 17 with a limited capacity (25% of peak usage, which equates to 22 people per hour)

Group Exercise Classes

Will be conducted outdoors; currently offering four classes (click here for more information)
Limited capacity of 15 people at the covered pavilion
Virtual options available for at home or travel use on our new app (click here for more information)

Multiple COVID-19 Prevention Practices in Place:

Capacity restrictions, spatial-distancing measures, face coverings, additional cleaning measures, staff training, and an industrial fan to ensure air circulation
Requiring reservations to manage capacities

Starport has acquired a new smart phone app and an online member portal tool to make the process as seamless as possible
To allow access to as many of our members as possible, reservations will be 55 minutes, starting on the hour, with five-minute buffer time for out and in traffic

Outdoor fitness at the Gilruth
Outdoor fitness class in progress at a Gilruth pavilion with COVID-19 protocols in place. Credits: Starport

Phases 2 & 3

Dates TBD, in consultation with center leadership and Occupational Health
Strength and Cardio Center capacity will expand based on updated guidance
Group exercise class location will be re-evaluated for safety of restarting indoor sessions
Transition when local and center data indicate acceptable level of risk to increase participant numbers

Other safety enhancements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include wider walkways with arrows showing desired foot-traffic patterns, increased air circulation, and signage encouraging proper santiation of fitness equipment. Credits: Starport

Additional Wellness & Fitness Information:

Virtual Options: We will continue to provide alternative options through virtual fitness to keep you active.

Walking/running trails on-site and behind the Gilruth are now open. Water stations will be available starting the week of May 10.

For more information about Starport Fitness, please contact Joel Grant at joel.b.grant@nasa.gov.

Youth Programs

Youth Summer Camps: This summer, Starport will have both in-person STEAM & recreational camps and virtual camps.

Youth Activities: Starport has launched many activities for our future NASA team members. Learn more about all the fun youth activities.

For more information about youth programming, please contact Ashley Idema at ashley.c.idema@nasa.gov.

Facility Rentals

We are accepting reservations on a limited basis for Gilruth meetings, pavilions, and training spaces. If you would like to make a reservation for:

Official NASA function, or
Starport Partner functions

Please email Greg Della Longa at gregory.j.dellalonga@nasa.gov with your request. All other reservations, including for sports fields and gymnasium rentals, will be delayed until further notice. Please be aware that given the dynamic nature of group gatherings, all meeting requests must submit specific COVID-19 prevention plans following current safety guidelines.