Restaurants, bars, and salons were able to start reopening in Minnesota last week. Now, gyms, movie theaters, and swimming pools get their turn. Governor Tim Walz announced Phase III of his Stay Safe Minnesota Plan last Friday, laying out the latest reopening guidelines. Part of this latest phase is the partial reopening of gyms/fitness centers, pools, and movie theaters, starting Wednesday, June 10.
SNAP FITNESS
After nearly three months of being shut down, Snap Fitness owner and manager Brandon Kresl is thrilled to open his doors back up even if it is at 25 percent capacity.
“It’s a huge step,” Kresl said. “Just to be able to get people back in and working out. I’ve had a lot of people reaching out, saying it’s not the same (working out) outside, and needing some weights they don’t have at home. Just getting a step toward getting back in the gym and back in a normal routine is just huge for everyone.”
Snap Fitness in Crookston opens at midnight Wednesday and will be open for 24/7 access like normal. They’ll have a spray bottle for each patron, and ask that equipment be cleaned before and after each use. Kresl said they’ve also added a few new machines and treadmills as part of a recent remodel.
ANYTIME FITNESS
Anytime Fitness manager Blaine Goering is also excited to reopen but is ramping up sanitation practices, using medical-grade sanitizer and other methods. 
“Obviously, we’ll be ramping up the cleaning efforts,” Goering said. “Wipe everything down and keep it as clean as we can. We’re going to encourage members to do the same when they’re done with a piece of equipment. If someone’s not feeling well, we encourage them to stay home. We’ve had plenty of time to get the place clean. That’s for sure.”
Anytime Fitness will allow for 24/7 access once they reopen at noon Wednesday. Goering said a lot of the equipment has been spaced six feet apart in accordance with CDC guidelines. “Other than that, it should be business as usual,” added Goering.
CROOKSTON COMMUNITY POOL
The Crookston Community Pool is undergoing needed maintenance 
before reopening. Crookston Parks and Recreation Director Scott Riopelle said the first priority at the pool is fixing the showers, and the completion date is unknown at this time. “We’re trying to redo the showers first,” Riopelle said. “Then, we will take a look and put a preparedness plan together, and then we can find an opening date somewhere down the road.”
Under the newest guidance, pools are allowed to open at 50 percent capacity with a limit of 250 people.
GRAND THEATRE
The Grand Theatre in Crookston is set to reopen at 25 percent capacity on June 19. The Theatre staff is giving themselves extra time to order movies, and also determine what to show since there haven’t been any new movies released during the pandemic.
When the Grand Theatre reopens, they are considering theme nights for when they open back up.
