A sign advises social distancing during the reopening of the Cowabunga Bay water park in Henderson Friday, May 29, 2020. Water parks, bars and gyms are among the business that were allowed to reopen Friday under the state’s Phase Two reopening plan. Only season pass holders were allowed on opening weekend. The park opens to the public on June 1.
Saturday, May 30, 2020 | 2 a.m.
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Members of this Las Vegas boutique gym distance hugged, sipped water and wiggled their legs moments before their exercise class began on Friday.
A woman jumped up, and exclaimed a simple “yes,” as trainer Tony Scott walked to the front of the class.
Briefly looking to the ceiling, a masked Scott clasped his hands in one clap and proclaimed, “Welcome back to Raw Fitness.”
The dozen or so participants, standing in 8-by-8 feet squares with disinfectant spray bottles and dumbbells next to each, cheered in jubilation.
And how could they not: It was their first time back to their gym, which was shut down along with other nonessential Nevada businesses in mid-March by a global pandemic.
Friday marked the start second phase of the state’s economic recovery plan, when bars, water parks, bowling alleys, movie theaters and more were allowed to open their doors — albeit with limited capacity and guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
The scene at Raw Fitness, 3019 St. Rose Parkway, looks much different than it did when it was last open. Members have to bring their own towels, enter the gym one at a time, sanitize their hands and stay in the squares marked by scotch tape. Three feet separates each box, giving each member more than the 6-foot separation required by the state’s social distancing mandate.
The gym was deep cleaned and sharing exercise equipment is not allowed, said Michael Krider, the Raw Fitness general manager. If someone needs more weights, Krider grabs it for them to avoid possible contamination.
Being shut down was initially a challenge, but the operators figured out how to stay in contact with members by offering virtual classes to its members, Krider said.
But it wasn’t the same: “We definitely crave that interaction,” he said about hosting face-to-face workouts. “So it’s kind of hard to not touch people, high-five,” he said.
Scott told his students to treat their return to the gym like a challenge, and reminded them to take breaks and water as needed. He finished by pumping up the class: “One more round of applause!” he said amid cheers.
Those seeking respite from the triple-digit temperatures were back at Cowabunga Bay, which also reopened Friday.
More than an hour after opening, a manager at the water park said it was about 25% full from the half-capacity, which is all that’s allowed in the gradual reopening of the state.
The typical waterpark warning posters shared space with the COVID-19-era signs to social distance or that life jackets were being disinfected after every use. One warned those with coronavirus symptoms to stay away.
“I’m super happy,” said Amber Luszeck, who along with her husband, Brent, took their 6-year-old daughter to the park. “We needed something to do.”
The family had stayed home for most of the shut down and was ready to return to a semblance of normalcy, said Luszeck, a middle school teacher. She said the pandemic needs to be taken seriously and with every recommended precaution.
There was a sense of anxiety about going out again. But, she added, “I also feel that we can’t stay at home and be scared forever.”
Asked how excited her daughter was to be out again, Luszeck said ecstatic enough that there would be “tears” when she was told they were leaving.
“We are so excited that it’s open,” said Carolee Nelson, who had accompanied her daughter and grandchildren, ages 9 and 12, to the water park. “We missed it bad.”
Nelson said the family’s return to leisure activities also was going to be gradual. They would eat lunch at Cowabunga Bay and return home after a couple hours.
Lance Johns, owner of Atomic Liquors in downtown Las Vegas, was also delighted to be back.
“Even though it’s not going to be easy, at least we’re open back up,” he said. “At least all my employees have jobs and (are) making money. We’re paying our bills so there’s a huge relief in that.”
Capping patronage at 50%, the bar will be allowing no more than 45 people inside, where they will sit 6 feet apart, Johns said.
Known for serving specialty beers, the shutdown meant that the Atomic staff had to replace the old spirits in the taps, which tend to go bad after about a month. The menu signs also were updated.
Johns and his staff, however, were content to be “right back to where we left off,” he said.
Seven patrons lined up outside Huntridge Tavern early morning Friday. A cheer broke out when it finally reopened, said Katie Alexander, the general manager. “They are kind of tired of drinking at home.”
Gloves, masks and hand sanitizer were available for everyone, said Alexander, who herself wore a cloth face covering.
Blunt signs at the entrance told patrons that if they were “coughing, sneezing, dripping, drooling, dirty, feverish — or just overall sickly,” to stay away. “Save yourself the embarrassment of me kicking you out, because I will.”
Like many business owners on Friday, Alexander raved about the response from patrons. It was the positive feedback she hoped to receive.
“I feel like our town will come back with flying colors, we are Vegas Strong, we are 100% Nevada, and I’m all about that,” she said.
