COVID-19-related NPAC changes are working out

The pandemic has forced nearly everyone at CSC to adjust daily operations this semester to help mitigate the spread of the virus and NPAC personnel are no different. 

Jeff Turman, manager, sports and recreation center, discussed some of the changes adopted by the NPAC crew. 

“We’re on a mask policy now,” he said. “They [patrons] have to have a mask. They have to scan their temperature at the door.” 

Capacity restrictions also are inplay and proper IDs are required to gain entry.  

“We have limited numbers in there [weight and cardio room] for a while,” Turman said, “we’re at 75% capacity, but we don’t really hit that too often.” 

Cleaning procedures also have changed. 

“Workers have to do more cleaning than they usually did,” Turman said, “we close it down for a half-hour twice a day for cleaning. They go around twice a shift, wiping down door handles, water faucets, anything that gets touched.”

COVID also has affected the NPAC’s daily numbers. 

“They’re down, they’re definitely down,” Turman said, adding, “It’s tough not being able to see [students] do things here.” 

Intramurals, however, are still operational. 

“We cut out flag football this year and supplemented tennis,” Turman said, “something outside and much more distanced.” 

He said he is hopeful that flag football can happen in the spring. 

“We’re going to do six-on-six volleyball, but we’ll have to wear masks during that,” Turman said. “We don’t have many signed up yet, and this is the last week of registration.”

Regarding whether the overall atmosphere of the NPAC has changed, Turman’s answer was simple. 

“I wouldn’t say so,” he said, “it’s just quieter.”

Classes and Group Fit at the NPAC also have changed. 

“They’re still coming in,” Turman said. “Classes have been going outside, so that cuts down on (the number of) a few members inside.” 

Group Fit has also been taking their classes outside.

“Outside, they can separate farther apart so it’s safer,” Turman explained.

Turman also touched upon a timeline for reopening activities.

“It all depends on what the CDC says,” he said, adding  that the mask policy will carry on through the fall term. 

“We just go along with what the whole campus is doing,” he said.  

Additionally, every other machine in the cardio room has been shut down. 

While the facilities and its users are the NPAC’s primary focus during the pandemic, Turman also talked about how the staff is coping with the changes. 

“We’ve all been on the same page,” he said. “They’ve (the staff) been good about wearing their masks and cleaning stuff.” 

He said he’s hired a few more employees to help fill in the gaps when needed. 

Turman also spoke about student accomodations.

“We’re still trying to do activities that are safer for them to do,” he said. “We want them to have fun while they’re here and we’re trying to make it safe so they can. We’re still here, we’re still doing it.”

NPAC staff say they’re taking the changes in stride.  

“At first I was nervous, but now I think we’re doing pretty well,” said employee Noah Bruner, 20, senior of Scottsbluff.

He also said his job now focuses more on cleaning, being aware of people, and keeping their safety in mind. 

Dave Omondi, 23, senior of Nairobi, Kenya, an NPAC regular, said he’s had to alter his routine this semester.  

“COVID has impacted my workout routine heavily because wearing masks at the gym makes it harder to breathe,” Omondi said. “I can’t push or pull the heavy weights like I usually do. There has also been a lack of motivation due to not being able to work out at my peak level.”