Wenatchee Racquet & Athletic Club
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3/14/2021

MAKE YOUR MARCH COMEBACK

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MARCH 2021 MEMBER UPDATE
Dear Member-Owners,
Springtime normally brings a sense of optimism, but with Spring 2021 around the corner, our hopefulness is off the charts! Last month we moved from Phase 1 to Phase 2 under Washington State’s “Roadmap to Recovery”, and given continually improving health metrics, we believe greater reopening opportunities are coming soon. The standards for further easing restrictions have not been established by the state, but we believe our diligence in adhering to safe operating practices will soon allow greater facility access for our member-owners.
​

During the entire COVID-19 period, your WRAC has put safety first. We never cut corners, nor loosely interpreted any health and safety guidelines, though we were aware some of our competitors did. We advocated for science-based reopening standards through our participation in the Washington Fitness Alliance, where Club Manager Evy Gillin is on the board of directors. We spent significant money to try to keep the WRAC safe, some in obvious ways such as plentiful sanitizers and towels; some in less visible ways such as our large investment in ventilation scrubbers for our HVAC systems. Please see the COVID CARE PAGE for more detail about those efforts.

For March, we will continue billing at 75% of normal dues, with the hope that very soon we will offer full access and be able to charge full dues. We are so thankful to those member-owners who offer to pay full dues, and for those who continued to pay even when we were closed. Please let us know about any changes to your membership billing status with completion of the MARCH MEMBER RESPONSE FORM.
Our challenge in the coming year will be to rebuild what COVID-19 took from us, guided by the vision of being the very best fitness and recreational facility in our market:

1. We will rebuild our team!
2. We will rebuild our membership!
3. We will rebuild our financial reserves!

This is your club, a member-owned non-profit that exists to promote healthy lifestyles by offering recreational and fitness opportunities. We value and encourage your feedback. Act like you own the place, because you do! See you at the WRAC!
Sincerely,
Your WRAC Board of Directors


If you have any questions, please contact Evy Gillin, Club Manager
evy@wrac.org | (509) 421-0243 cell | (509) 662-3544 club | www.wrac.org

SEE FULL MARCH NEWSLETTER HERE

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1/29/2021

rolling in feb.

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WRAC UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY
Dear Member-Owners,
​

Our doors are open!  We’re happy to offer safe, limited fitness and recreational options for our members. We are fortunate to have a large facility that allows us to meet specific low-density safeguards created under new state reopening guidelines. Masks are required at all times, and advance sign-ups are necessary. But we’re open, and thankful to see healthy activity resuming inside our large walls!

We anticipate continued restrictions for the foreseeable future, but things are headed in the right direction. Safety is our number one mandate, and we take that very seriously. Through our association with the Washington Fitness Alliance, we have advocated for science-based reopening opportunities. Our very survival depends on it. Our WRAC team is working tirelessly to provide a safe, sanitary environment, and will not hesitate to request compliance with well-communicated guidelines.

The board has decided to return to the 75% dues structure we had during October and November when we operated under similar capacity restrictions. We believe this is fair, and appropriately charges for the value offered. We need to return to full dues as soon as possible, and we certainly could make the case for the financial necessity of doing that now.  But we must balance that need with what we are able to offer, and 75% makes sense now. Thankfully, a significant number of members continue to pay full dues, and we’re grateful for that meaningful assistance. If necessary, you can communicate changes to your membership status by indicating here on the member response form. Otherwise, we will bill according to your last instructions.
​

This journey has been arduous for all. While we still face uncertain times ahead, we are optimistic about rebuilding our team, our membership, and our finances. This is your club, a member-owned non-profit that exists to promote healthy lifestyles by offering recreational and fitness opportunities. We value and encourage your feedback. See you at the club!
Sincerely yours,

Your WRAC Board of Directors 
   
Dick Lester, Pres.
    Stew Cusick, V.P.
    Bryan Noyd, Treasurer
    Nel Wheeler, Secretary
    Carolyn Dowell, Nick Jimenez, Cindy Lorrain, Rani Sampson

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1/9/2021

wrac reopening details

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LET PLAY BEGIN...
The WRAC REOPENS Monday, Jan. 11th at 5 am.
HOURS OF OPERATION  will be:   Monday- Friday:    5:00 am - 9:00 pm
   Saturday:    7:00 am - 4:00 pm
   Sunday:   10:00 am - 5:30 pm
We excited to get back to the WRAC too, but before you go,  I ask that you review the WRAC's Covid Care Program and these
 Phase 1 GENERAL USE info:
  • Masks WILL BE required at all times while in the club. 
    • If you are challenged with this, please check out the many athletic performance masks now available.  The last thing we want to do is be the "mask police" so please make it easy on both of us...MASK UP to WRAC UP!      
  • CHECK-IN will be done at the Fitness Center desk (as before). 
    • Please be prepared to use your app for hands-free check-in. 
  • LOBBY AREAS and DELI will not be available until further notice.  
    • Beverages and snack bars will be available at Fitness Center desk.  
    • If you need a Pro Shop item, please present it at the desk for check-out.  
  • RESERVATIONS can be made using:
    • Club Automation on a PC or on WRAC-Wenatchee App
    • wenatchee.tennisbookings.com for court reservations
    • If you need your WRAC account user name and password sent to you, email info@wrac.org. 
  • Be sure to bring your personal sweat towel and water bottle as fountains remain unavailable. 
    • A NEW bottle filling station is available on the hallway fountain.
    • Showers and changing space will not available in Phase 1. 
FITNESS CENTER:
  • Workouts are to be kept to under 1 hour.
  • RESERVATIONS are recommended for your time in Fitness Area due to very limited capacity.  If reserving does not work with your schedule you can come in without a reservation and if there is space available demonstrated by an available spray bottle and cleaning towel on the wall, you are welcome to get to work.  If there is not space available you will need to wait.  
    • Cardio Floor:  5 people
    • Free and machine weight training area:  10  people
GROUP EX CLASSES:
  • Classes will be for 45 minutes each
  • Limited number of participants.  Reservation is required
  • Most classes will be held on Tennis court 3 until space per participant requirement allows use of the gym.  
  • New in-club class schedule is below - be sure to note location as there are a combination of in tennis court, in gym and online classes offered.  A library of previous classes is also always available on our FITNESS web page. 
  • If you have questions about Group Ex or getting started back with one of our Trainers, please email Lisa@wrac.org.   
TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL:
  • Tennis and Pickleball indoor use is limited to 90 minutes of play a day.
  • Pickleball:  16 players; 4 players/pickleball court 
  • Tennis:  4 players max per court  
    • Tennis programs begin on the 11th.  Get on, or sub on the program by contacting Charl via email asap.  
  • Tennis and Pickleball Instruction programs:  1 instructor/10 students
    • If you are interested in lessons or Junior Program, please contact Charl or Clint.  Both will be available on a limited basis as we get rolling again.    
RACQUETBALL/SQUASH:
  • Limited to one player on court.   
BASKETBALL:
  • By reservation; 1 player per hoop; bring your own basketball; no games
KIDS CLUB: Children's programs, other than for racquet sport instruction, are not yet available. 

MASSAGE THERAPY:  Limited appointment times available.  We are looking for ways to expand this opportunity as soon as possible.   
January membership dues were not charged and this remains the case even with the club's reopening.  If your membership has been on hold and you wish to activate it, or need to make any changes, please contact Zach, Membership Coordinator, and he'll get you taken care of.  If you have not yet signed the new version of the Membership Liability Waiver, please do so by logging into your account before using the club again.  If you need this emailed to you,  just let us know.   

I am awaiting final guidelines, expected to be posted on Monday afternoon.  Everything stated above is based on the information available at this moment.  If something changes in this plan, you will be notified.  If you have any questions, please ask.  Thank you.

Stay healthy!
   Evy Gillin
Club Manager

evy@wrac.org
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1/6/2021

WRAC REOPENS!

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UPDATE - JANUARY 6
Dear Member-Owners,
YES!!  IT WILL BE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WA State Safe Start Guidance announced yesterday provides a pathway forward for The WRAC!
HOURS OF OPERATION:
   Monday - Friday:       5:00 am - 9:00 pm
   Saturday:                     7:00 am - 4:00 pm
   Sunday:                      10:00 am - 5:30 pm
January dues were not charged and this remains the case even with the opening of the club.  If your membership has been on hold and you wish to activate it now or need to make any changes, please contact Zach, Membership Coordinator, and he'll get this taken care of for you.  

Club use protocols followed in October-November will continue to be in place. 
Please refresh yourself with these by viewing our 
Covid Care Program information page. 
   1. Masks will be required at all times while in the club. If you are challenged with this, please check out the many athletic performance masks now available.  The last thing we want to do is be the "mask police" this so this makes it easy...mask up at all times.      
   2.  Workouts need to be kept to under 1 hour. 
   3.  Fitness classes will be scheduled for 45 minutes.
   3.  Tennis and Pickleball are limited to 90 minutes of play.
   4.  Use guidelines allow for reserved time in all areas:
  • Cardio area:  5 
  • Weight training (free and machines:  10  
  • Pickleball:  16
  • Tennis:  Singles and doubles are both ok
  • Court Instruction programs:  1 instructor/10 students
  • Tennis play for singles and doubles is good to go with normal 1.5 court use time 
  • Racquetball/Squash play is currently limited to same household players. We are waiting for further clarification.   
  • Fitness classes will continue to be held on Tennis court 3. 
    • Conducting these in the gym does not space requirements at this time.                  
    • Online FB and Zoom fitness classes will continue at this time.  
  • Kids club and activities for children, other than racquet sports, will not yet be available. 
   5.  Reservations on Club Automation - WRAC App and the court systems will be available to you as of 5 pm today (Wednesday) to reserve for your club use starting when we open Monday at 5 am. Reservations are required for courts and classes, recommended for fitness and cardio to ensure your spot but you are welcome to come in.  If there is space available, spray bottle and cleaning towel on the wall for you, you are welcome to get your workout in without a reservation.
    6. Check in will be done at the Fitness Center desk (as before).  Please be prepared to use your app for hands-free check-in process.  The front lobby and deli will not be available until further notice.  Beverage and some snack bars will be available for sale at the Fitness Center desk.  If you need something from the pro shop, please present the item to the desk for check-out.  
   7.  Reminder:  Be sure to bring your personal sweat towel and water bottle as fountains remain unavailable.  New bottle filling station is now available at the hallway fountain. 

If you have any questions, please get in contact with me or other appropriate staff member.  I look forward to seeing your smiling face at the club soon!

Sincerely,
   Evy Gillin
Club Manager

evy@wrac.org
Your WRAC Board of Directors 
     
Dick Lester, Pres.
    Stew Cusick, V.P.
    Bryan Noyd, Treasurer
    Nel Wheeler, Secretary
    Carolyn Dowell, Nick Jimenez, Cindy Lorrain, Rani Sampson

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12/31/2020

BOARD REPORT FOR JAN. 2021

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​Dear Member-Owners,
Happy New Year!
While January 1st won’t witness our normal crowded fitness frenzy, and our building will remain eerily quiet, we are optimistic we’ll be able to welcome you back to the WRAC sometime this month! When the governor’s gym closure order is lifted, we are extremely confident we can provide a safe and sanitary venue for our members to gather in community to pursue active, healthy lifestyles. It’s why we exist.

We’ll likely reopen with prudent limitations, and our path to full, unrestricted operation will be a long one. The impact of the pandemic has been unequal among different people and businesses, and the WRAC and its wonderful team have borne significant financial pain. However, our proverbial glass is half full, and we’re ready to work extremely hard at rebuilding in three key areas:
  1. We will rebuild our team.  The WRAC is successful because of the people that choose to work there. For almost a year, our dedicated staff have endured multiple reductions in hours, layoffs, and call-backs. We hope to bring back as many team members as possible, but the reality is that some have been forced to find other work or have relocated. Rebuilding with a core of long-time employees and some new faces is Job #1 for WRAC Manager Evy Gillin and her leadership team. Big kudos to Evy for her tireless efforts through the travails of this pandemic – she’s never worked harder or more effectively.
  2. We will rebuild our membership.  Our sustained membership growth, particularly in the past five years, has been the lifeblood of the WRAC’s success and reputation. COVID has had a significant impact on many members of our community, and the WRAC has lost 33% of our membership. We hope many will choose to return, but we know not all will. We must all work to promote membership in our wonderful member-owned club.
  3. We will rebuild our finances.  Thankfully, we’ve been able to rely on financial reserves and the generosity of many member-owners who have continued to pay full or partial dues. Other fitness businesses have not survived the economic impact of the pandemic. We must rebuild our financial reserves, and the only way we can do that is by restoring our membership. Simply said, 33% less dues-paying members will result in a financial operating loss. That cannot be sustained, and our path back to financial health relies on membership growth.
We will not charge dues for the month of January, even with likely reopening sometime during the month. Many of you have been generous with ongoing support despite the varying restrictions and closures. Any assistance is extremely helpful and appreciated. We will assume your billing status will stay the same as last month. If you wish to change something or provide feedback to us, you can do so by clicking here, JANUARY RESPONSE form.
We hope you share our optimism about the new year. This is your club, a member-owned non-profit established to promote healthy lifestyles in our community. Please share any suggestions or feedback with us.
Sincerely,
Your WRAC Board of Directors 
    Dick Lester, Pres.
    Stew Cusick, V.P.
    Bryan Noyd, Treasurer
    Nel Wheeler, Secretary
    Carolyn Dowell, Nick Jimenez, Cindy Lorrain, Rani Sampson

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12/14/2020

Letter to Members - Dec. 2020

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WRAC BOARD LETTER
December 1, 2020

Dear WRAC Team:  Dean, Gabe, Tony, Lisa, Zach, Ellie, Connie, Clint, Jessica, Don, Tanner, Liv, Keith, Tammi, Alanna, Charl, Joyce, Heather, Hannah, Angie, Boden, Bridget, Max Y, Dave, Izzy, Tammy, Valerie, Jackie, Max M., Emma, Leslie, Mallory, Olga, Seana, Lyda, Toddi, Gary, Kim, Abby, Craig, Dennis, Elyse and Evy.
We THANK YOU!
​

In the midst of a very difficult year, it’s easy to recount all the things we’ve lost. We won’t do that here, though each of us misses our ability to use OUR WRAC as we used to. We simply wish to give thanks to the extraordinary WRAC team who have helped us make it through this difficult year and to acknowledge the hardship that many of them are experiencing due to the pandemic.
The success of the WRAC is due to the individuals who choose to work here. The people above are not just a list of names. They comprise a cohesive team, and each is meaningful to their own group of members who appreciate their friendliness, hard work, and dedication. The vagaries of COVID have made many of us realize just how important these people are in our lives. We’ve heard so many stories of WRAC team members going above and beyond their job description. They love their jobs, it shows, and we member-owners benefit from it. 
Our WRAC team has endured economic adversity as they have faced multiple rounds of layoffs or reductions in hours, unemployment claims, and call-backs. Their passion for promoting healthy lifestyles, fitness, and recreational opportunities in their vocation of choice has required sacrifice through no fault of their own. As much as the WRAC would like to somehow ease their financial hardship, cutbacks and layoffs are essential to the WRAC’s survival, given the plunge in revenues from the shutdown. It’s a tough situation without easy answers. Despite this, our great staff consistently offers to do whatever is necessary to get through this crisis. For that, we’re extremely grateful.
Dues will not be charged for the month of December, given the four-week shutdown from November 17th to December 13th. We await guidance on re-opening December 14th, and that will inform our decision on dues for January. The generosity of member-owners who wish to continue paying dues for December is appreciated.  Please reply asap by completing the December response form via button link below to indicate your intention.
In the spirit of giving thanks, we are also thankful for our unique structure of member-ownership. It allows us to operate a lean and efficient financial model without concern for ownership compensation. This is your club, and we want to hear from you. Any feedback or suggestions are welcome and appreciated. 
Sincerely,
Your WRAC Board of Directors
     Dick Lester (P), Stu Cusick (VP), Bryan Noyd (T), Nel Wheeler (S)
     Carolyn Dowell, Cindy Lorrain, Nick Jiminez, Rani Sampson
     To submit suggestions or feedback, please contact any Board member or include your thoughts on the response form.  
​​

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11/20/2020

WRAC ON HOLD...

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WRAC OPERATION is "ON HOLD"
​NOVEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 13TH
 

​
IT'S TIME TO PIVOT...AGAIN!
It looks like this closure will indeed hold us out of the club through at least December 13th.  Though we are working closely with Washington Fitness Alliance to try to get better answers from the state and local officials as to why fitness was included in this shutdown, the answers are slow in coming.  The latest data continues to not support this decision.  The thing we can all probably all agree on is that we want our community and country to be healthy and strong (that's why we are all at the WRAC) but my hope is that benefits derived from staying active and fit can become a larger factor in these impactful decisions. There have been no reported cases at our club or any club in Washington state. For lots of details on current data available, please see the link below to the WFA website and Facebook pages. 
THESE "WRACTIVITIES" ARE AVAILABLE NOW:
  • Courts 4-7 have nets and are available for your reservation, wracbookings.com 
  • "Long John" Pickleball Play is on the schedule for everyday, 11:30 - 2:30 and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:30-8:30.  These times are available on the app to reserve one of the 15 spots available.  If you wish to play at another time, please reserve court 4 or 5 on wracbookings.com .  
  • Our terrific Fitness Instruction Team has rallied again to provide online Facebook Live classes. 
     These videos can also be found on our U-Tube Channel  on the day after each class.  
  • Our Dynamic Duo of Clint and Charl are ready and willing to provide instruction on outdoor courts for groups of up to 4 students as weather and court conditions allow.  Please contact them directly to arrange day and time.  
  • Tammi and Keith would love to be able to continue to offer Outdoor Private Training Sessions but we haven't quite figured out to do this yet.  If you are interested, please reach out to them directly to let them know.  If there is interest, we will find a way.   
  • Massage Therapy is not effected by the fitness facility closure.  If you are would massage appointment at the club with Toddi Barclay, please call the club to arrange day and time.  
  • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH - Start your Christmas Shopping at the WRAC.  We'll help you get some great deals if you help us reduce our inventory.  Shoes, Shirts, Sweatshirts, String, Accessories, Paddles, Racquets...All will be marked down!!  The Shop will be open 11 am - 6 pm on this day for your shopping! Sale is limited to all in stock items.    
Our Board, who has persevered through months of multiple meetings, stress and concern, will be again be reviewing our options next week.  I thank them for their service to the club as a volunteer Board member.  I ask for your patience. We will need some assurance of when we can reopen before plans are put in place to do so.  We are ready to open the doors and flip on the lights as soon as we get the go ahead.  This is of course, unless the "rules" for operating are changed between now and then.  In the meantime, let's hope for good weather so we can continue to remain active outdoors, take some of the online "WRACtivity" fitness classes, schedule a lesson or play a little "long john" pickleball and tennis.  As it becomes possible to offer more programs and services to be offered within these facility restrictions, weather cooperation and budgetary constraints, these additions will be announced.  Stay tuned!!
In Health,   
  - Evy Gillin
WRAC Manager
evy@wrac.org
509-421-0243
If you have questions or need to make any adjustments to your membership, please contact 
Zach. He'll get you all taken care of right away.   
​

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2/28/2020

The Importance of muscle imbalance

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There’s a lot of talk about proper life balance with work, family, and food...but is your workout balanced?  Are your muscles balanced?

Did you know your quads are made up of 4 muscles... makes sense right.  This muscle group (rectus femoris, Vastus medialis, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus medialis) needs to be balanced out individually for knee health as well as balanced as a group to properly offset the hamstrings and glutes, or opposing muscle groups. 

Every joint in the body has muscles on each side to aid with flexing/extending, aduction/abduction, or rotation. Muscular imbalance can cause tightness on one side and weakness on the opposing side which can cause many problems including joint pain or potential injury.  Repetitive movements in a work setting or doing the same fitness routine over and over again can cause imbalances as well as sitting for long periods of time or maintaining a poor posture.  

When designing your workouts make sure you are thinking about balance in your muscle groups as well as changing up your routine. Make sure you are moving in multi planes and targeting opposing groups like pushing and pulling, for example.

If you have hit a fitness plateau, fallen into a fitness rut, or are facing injury from muscle imbalance you may be in need of a new workout routine.  Any of the qualified WRAC Trainers can help you with program design as well as fitness assessments to see if you are out of alignment. 

Contributed by:  WRAC Wellness Director, Lisa Smith
lisa@wrac.org

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WRAC MISSION STATEMENT:
To promote active, healthy lifestyles by providing racquet sports, aquatics and fitness opportunities ​for our owner-members.

    CONTACT US:

CONTACT US

HOURS & LOCATION:

IF you have questions, please CALL THE CLUB OR EMAIL INFO@WRAC.ORG
5 am - 9 pm m-f
7 am - 5:30 PM SAT
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM SUN
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1913 SKYLINE DR.,  WENATCHEE, WA 98801
(509) 662-3544
  • Home
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  • FITNESS & HEALTH
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    • Group Fitness Team
  • AQUATICS
    • SWIM INSTRUCTION
    • SUMMER SWIM TEAM
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