Policies and Procedures for Outdoor Court Usage at the Salt Lake Tennis and Health Club

The Salt Lake Tennis and Health Club is committed to making our club the safest and healthiest place to play tennis and exercise in Utah!   We were among the first clubs to voluntarily temporarily close our doors on March 17th because it was the right thing to do.  Protecting the health and wellbeing of our staff and members is always our number one priority.  

The State and City have begun a phased opening of businesses.   Health and tennis clubs are included in the businesses that may open up in Phase One, but there are several safety measures and practices that must be implemented in order for our business to re-open.  We have received approval from the Salt Lake City Board of Health to open up our 8 outdoor courts on Monday, April 27th. 

• The Coronavirus Pandemic in Utah has shown several positive signs indicating that under certain circumstances it is safe to begin re-opening up parts of our local economy.
• The State and City government have given our club approval to open up in a multi-stage process.
  • Stage One–Outdoor tennis courts only; private lessons and members only (no access to any other activities; only use of bathrooms)
  • Stage Two–Indoor and outdoor tennis courts
  • Stage Three–Fitness Club and Group Exercise
  • Stage Four–Pool and cafe
• Working closely with the City Board of Health, the USTA, and our Health and Safety Consultant, we have developed a set of safety and health policies and procedures. Members and staff will be required to comply with these policies to ensure that our club is a safe place.
• When it comes to game-centered sports, there are only four popular sports where players are able to keep a safe social distance while playing or competing–tennis, golf, badminton, and ping pong. Being able to offer safe and healthy facilities and programs for tennis players is a major gift to our community.
• We want to offer the best and safest tennis and health club facilities and programs so our club can be a center for exercise, health, wellbeing, and fun.

• SLTHC will spare no expense in keeping the club as hygienic, clean, and as safe as humanly possible.
• It is strongly recommended to wash your hands in the locker room before any activity at the club.
• Jesus and our maintenance staff will be disinfecting every surface multiple times during the day with approved anti-coronavirus approved products.
• SLTHC night cleaning staff will be moved to the day in order to ensure that all possible points of contamination are disinfected multiple times during the day.
• Hand sanitizers will be provided at the front desk and multiple stations throughout the club
• The use of sinks, toilets, and hand drying is all automatic and requires no touching to activate.

• The new club hours will be from 8 am to 8 pm on Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
• Court reservations can be made via telephone or at the Welcome Desk while you are six-feet away from the desk.
• Private and small group tennis lessons can be reserved by arranging directly with the tennis professional.
• All members are required to have a credit card on file to book a court or a lesson. Alternatively, call the club with your credit card details. We will not accept checks or cash at the club.
• Lessons or court time reserved can be canceled with no charge with 24 hours notice or more in advance.  If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice you will be billed for the whole price of the lesson or court time.

• Members are required to check-in at the welcome desk standing behind the tape indicating the appropriate social distancing.
• Members may use the toilets and sinks in the locker rooms but the use of the lockers, showers, steam, and sauna are currently not allowed by the Board of Health.
• Masks must be worn by all staff, members, and visitors while inside the clubhouse or walking from your car or bike to the clubhouse or your reserved tennis court.

In consultation with the Salt Lake City Board of Health, complying with the Governor’s guidelines, our Health and Safety Consultant, management team, tennis professionals, and tennis industry leaders, we have created the following sanitary and social distancing set of practices that will be enforced at the club and that includes:

• Washing hands before playing tennis is required and you will have use of the sinks in the locker rooms.
• During Stage One, there will be no chairs or tables available or areas to congregate in the club.  The club will offer tennis play and programs but none of our favorite ways to hang out with our friends and family.
• Players can leave their car or bike no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled court time.
• When players are finished playing, you need to go directly to your car unless you need to use the toilet facilities.
• No touching of any type–handshakes, high fives, hugs, etc.
• Players must keep a minimum of 6-10 feet apart at all times; social distancing will be strictly enforced at all times.
• All students are requested to bring a small bag for tennis essential tennis items and rackets.
• Place your tennis items near the bench/chair on the opposite side of the court as your opponent or practice partner.  When you change sides on odd games, walk on the side where your gear is so the social distancing requirements are easy to comply with.
• Only tennis professionals can use the hoppers, ball mowers, and carts that have been disinfected, to ensure that students don’t touch the hard smooth surfaces of the handles. Students are strongly encouraged to only roll the balls towards the net or back fence during ball collecting times.
• We have taken down all scorecards to eliminate another potential source of spreading the virus.

After much study and conversation, we can find no research that proves one way or the other that the virus can spread via tennis balls.  For those concerned with this possibility and in tennis lessons we do recommend the following practices regarding touching tennis balls:

• Refrain from using your hands to pick up balls–roll, kick or hit the balls to your opponent.
• If you are playing points with serving, have each player have their own different numbered balls that only they touch when serving.  The player who is not serving hits with their racket or rolls the ball to their opponent.
• If you are practicing your serve with a pro or another player put a glove on your non-dominant hand.