Masks, safety signage, protocols, and daily health checks are the “New Norm” for OGRCC members returning to participate in sports.
In a dedicated collective effort between the OGRCC Board of Directors, staff, and program partners, the OGRCC has managed to safely and effectively bring back many programs and activities.
This summer, it began with a tremendous investment in time and resources to put together a complete set of Reopening Guidelines. The OGRCC prepared organization level protocols to allow a phased return to activity in the most safe and thoughtful way possible. The protocols were based on input from select program leaders and on sources including, but not limited, to the CDC, WHO, Aspen Institute, relevant national sporting bodies and of course, federal, state, and local COVID-19 rules.
“The Board and staff worked tirelessly to put together COVID-19 safety protocols in order to relaunch our programs. Having been quarantined, we were anxious to safely bring our youth and families back onto the fields,” said Tom Casazzone, Executive Director.
Once Governor Lamont moved the state of Connecticut into Phase 2 of its Reopen Plan on June 17th, the organization successfully launched summer recreational and travel baseball to more than 250 youth players, as well as providing a safe and rewarding set of soccer, tennis, and rugby camps throughout the summer months.
COVID-19 rules were in place on the field, including wearing masks, social distancing, safety signage, contact tracing forms, and even hiring monitors to facilitate sanitation and the enforcement of the new protocols. The tremendous attention to detail and cooperation from the OGRCC membership paid off and gave the community much-needed activities outdoors!
Coming into the fall, everything from travel and recreational soccer, tennis, field hockey and rugby has kicked off with hundreds of youth and adults participating across all programs. “Our members have embraced this new way of life and have been extremely supportive of our phased-in approach. We communicate regularly with our members that it will take all of us to abide by the protocols to keep our families and our communities safe and healthy,” said Casazzone.
Planning and monitoring continue as the OGRCC looks towards the colder winter months. Virtual options and even increased social distancing measures may be necessary. But for now, members get to enjoy sports, albeit in this “New Normal.”
To learn more about OGRCC programs, services, and their COVID-19 protocols, visit their website at myogrcc.org.
About Old Greenwich-Riverside Community Center – The Old Greenwich-Riverside Community Center (OGRCC) promotes a sense of community by providing recreational athletic, educational and social programs. Celebrating more than 75 years of providing programs and events to the Greenwich community, the OGRCC has increased its membership from 30 in 1943 to nearly 1,800 today and expanded its programming to offer a wide variety of social, educational, and athletic programs – thanks to strong leadership and an engaged Board of Directors. Community volunteers and financial support continue to be an essential component of the growth of the OGRCC.
More information may be found on the web at myogrcc.org or by calling 203-637-3659
