After months of closures, the city of Cortez gradually has reopened facilities and services.
Keeping up with rapidly changing rules and regulations, officials have reopened many programs and equipment at the Rec Center, while other city-operated services like the library are finding ways to adapt.
The Cortez Recreation Center is set to head into its next phase of reopening, according to a June 25 news release.
The center officially reopened June 8 under its Tier 1 plan, which meant equipment was dispersed between the upstairs fitness area and the downstairs gymnasium. Public locker rooms and fitness classes were closed, and lap lanes at the pool were limited to one swimmer per lane.
Hours were limited to 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all patrons were expected to wear masks when not exercising and have their temperatures checked at the door.
A Tier 2 reopening is expected to begin Monday, July 6. Equipment will still be dispersed throughout the facility, but the gymnasium will be divided in half, with up to 15 patrons able to use exercise equipment on one side and others able to shoot baskets on the other — using personal basketballs, and only three to a basket.
Rec Center hours will remain the same.
Racquetball courts are opening up, along with a limited number of fitness classes. Reservations should be made 72 hours in advance.
Advance reservations are requested for the swimming pool lap lanes, with three people per lap lane. If multiple people are swimming in a lap lane, though, they all must be from the same household.
Temperatures will be taken at the door, masks will still be required when patrons aren’t exercising, and public locker rooms, the rock climbing wall and the leisure pool are still closed. For more detailed information, visit the city’s website.
The community recycling drop-off began accepting materials once again on May 20, although on a limited basis.
Bins are available for aluminum cans, pans, and foil; cardboard; and tins/steel ferrous metals.
But right now, no other recycling products will be accepted at the drop-off center — no plastic, glass, newspaper or mixed office paper will be taken.
The Cortez Public Library is still operating on a curbside basis, with patrons able to request materials and pick them up out front.
The library has been hosting a variety of virtual events, though, including writing workshops and a series of community discussions about racial inequality.
ealvero@the-journal.com
