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Welcome to tennis in the age of COVID-19.  We have been working hard to get the facility ready for safe, socially distanced play.  The courts have been completely resurfaced and we have developed protocols for the club, players and staff to follow to facilitate social distancing.  Needless to say, these protocols require both the club and players to undertake certain responsibilities.  In addition to complying with these rules, all players agree to the terms of the attached Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability as a condition of play.  Please review the terms of this waiver, below.

 

Member and Player Procedures

 

1.     Players must park behind the courts and enter the facility through the gate behind the reception unit.

2.     Entry to the reception unit is restricted for restroom users only.

3.     All players, staff, children (ages 2 and over) and parents will wear face coverings when arriving and leaving and when playing indoors.  As required by the Montgomery County Executive Order, Masks will be required at all times indoors.  This includes entering the reception unit and at all times inside the bubble.   

4.     Tennis facility patrons and staff will stay 6 feet apart when moving about the facility.  

5.     Tennis facility participants agree to comply with signage and markings that are set up to ensure social distancing and traffic flow.

6.     Court reservations and payments should be made on line or by telephone to limit traffic in the reception unit.

7.     If another court’s ball strays onto your court, please return it using only your racket or feet to avoid handling other players’ tennis balls.

8.     Should a court entrance gate be closed, players should use their shoulder or foot to open and close the gate. 

9.     Only players and staff will be allowed inside the tennis facility indoor dome.  Parents and/or spectators will not be allowed in the tennis dome. Drop off and pick up for juniors will be held outside of the revolving doorway.  There the children will be met by the instructor and escorted to the courts.  When the class is over they will be escorted through the revolving door to await parent/caregiver pick up.  Upon drop off, parents or care givers must remain on the back parking lot inside their vehicle or exit the campus immediately.  Please respect and appreciate that the tennis facility is on a school campus that remains in lockdown, due to COVID-19 protocols.  Any entry onto the school campus, beyond the designated tennis area, is strictly prohibited. 

10.     We have attached the USTA guidelines for playing tennis in the age of COVID-19.  We strongly encourage all players to read and comply with these rules.

 

Lesson & Program Participant Procedures

 

1.     Coaches will be assigned their own individual teaching tennis ball cart and ball hoppers. This equipment will remain solely with that coach throughout the day and be disinfected each morning before classes begin.

2.     All administrative staff and teaching staff will undergo training on procedures implemented to prevent exposure and spread of COVID-19 including handwashing procedures and sanitizing, covering cough, disinfecting equipment, proper use of face coverings, procedures for isolating a lesson/program participant until parent/guardian pick up, etc. 

3.     While on court and at the tennis facility, teaching staff, lesson and program participants, will remain 6 feet apart.

4.     The administrative staff will wear face coverings at all times indoors and whenever interacting with a player or lesson/program participant.  The teaching staff will wear face masks while indoors and when appropriate or necessary to guarantee safe practices.   

5.     Group lesson takers will be divided into groups based on the teacher/pupil ratios provided by State, County and the United States Tennis Association guidelines.

 

 

Staff Procedures

 

1.     A pre-opening staff orientation will be held outlining and discussing all required COVID-19 safe practice protocols expected of all administrative and teaching staff.  Attendance will be mandatory.

2.     Staff members will be required to follow COVID-19 safe practice protocols including mask wearing, social distancing, temperature and symptom checks, work space cleanliness and disinfection, while working together and interacting with tennis club participants.

3.     With respect for one another, staff members will be instructed to keep their personal opinions concerning COVID-19 fears and anxieties to themselves while working at the Georgetown Prep Tennis Club.

4.     Should any administrative or teaching personnel feel any COVID-19 symptoms, regardless how slight or minimal, they will be required to report this information to a supervisor and depart the club immediately.

 

 

Facility Service Changes – Per COVID-19 Safe Practice Recommendations

 

1.     The club is providing hand sanitizers and more frequently cleaning high-touch surfaces.

2.    The club will no longer offer coffee service, drinks sold or water fountains in operation on the facility.  Tennis club participants are required to supply their own, snacks and water.

3.     The Georgetown Prep Tennis Club will no longer provide clean towels, shower and changing facilities for patrons.

4.     Players may no longer wait for their court in the reception unit or on the observation deck.  Please wait until your court time to enter the tennis dome.

5.     Loaner racquets will be unavailable for patron use.

6.     All payments for services rendered must be made by debit or credit card as staff members will not handle cash or check transactions.

7.    Tables and chairs will be limited and spaced more than 6 feet apart to maintain proper social distancing.  However, Service Line, Inc. cannot guarantee that chairs and tables will be disinfected after each patron use (see Assumption of Risk Waiver).

 

 

Assumption of Risk Waiver Form

 

Any and all participants, parents or guardians shall be required to sign the Assumption of Risk Waiver Form attached herein and leave a copy on file with Service Line, Inc.

 

 

 

Thank you for your cooperation.  We look forward to seeing you back on the courts.  Please review the following waiver, which is a condition of your registration or participation.

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TENNIS IN THE COVID-19 ERA  -- FAQs

 

Do I have to wear a mask?  At this time, all players must wear masks when entering and leaving the courts and when entering the reception unit to use the restrooms.  During the indoor season 2020-2021, GPTC will follow the county’s executive orders.  As of 8/5/2020 we understand the executive order affects us in the following fashion:  All tennis players and staff must wear a face mask upon entrance to the Georgetown Preparatory School Campus. These masks must then be continuously worn while at the Georgetown Prep Tennis Club when using the restrooms, tennis reception area or playing tennis inside the air dome, as mandated by county’s mask order expansion. Personal mask safety conditions are to be respected . Thank you for your cooperation.

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What are the club's coronavirus safety protocols?  Tennis is a sport that works very well for social distancing.  The club has developed detailed protocols.   Click here to read our protocols, player requirements and waiver.

 

Are the classes indoors or outdoors?  We have reserved  both indoor and outdoor courts for our classes in the fall.  Typically, the dome goes up in early September.  Weather and light permitting, we plan to conduct classes outdoors to the greatest extent possible through Thanksgiving.

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Are class sizes limited?   Class size is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions and is based on the number of courts assigned to the class.  Typically, a junior class playing on two courts will have ten players.  

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What about conditions inside the air dome?  Integrated Dome Support Systems, the supplier of our air dome, has provided us with some very positive information about air dome ventilation as it relates to COVID 19 safety protocols.  Outside fresh air is required to be continuously pumped into our tennis dome to maintain its structural integrity.  The outside air is constantly being mixed with the inside air such that complete air exchanges occur regularly inside the dome throughout the day.  The technical details about fresh air intake and circulation are specific to the size and configuration of the club's building.  You may review them by clicking here. 

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What about credits from last season's closure?  The club has processed credits in the form of COVID-19 loyalty cards for missed classes last spring.  Those credits may be applied to future programs, with customers receiving a 10% discount off the program fee.  Contract and membership refunds have been processed as well.  Speak with your contract captain about details.

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