Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, we want to provide an update regarding the Houstonian Club’s renovation project.  As you know, COVID-19 continues to cause health concerns, disruptions in business, and supply chain shortages. Given these unforeseen challenges, we determined that 2020 was not the time to begin a project of this magnitude. 
 
The good news is it is our intention, barring a significant negative economic event, to begin the project no later than March 31, 2021. The renovation will take place in three phases over eighteen to twenty-four months in order to minimize the disruption to our programs, services and your member experience. For more details, please click here.  
 
We are committed to serving you and your family and to providing the finest fitness offerings in the country.  We will continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 with the hope that our lives will be back to normal, our projects will be underway, and our community will soon recover. 
 
We appreciate your membership and your patience as we work for a brighter 2021 together. 

• Are all of the amenities the club offers (group exercise classes/swimming/basketball court/childcare/Pilates studio/etc.) available for use?
• We are proud that all of our amenities are open for use. We are abiding by social distancing guidelines (per the CDC) and capacities set by Governor Abbott. We have added new protocols (reservation systems/distancing/etc.) to make these spaces available for use. We have added new amenities such as outdoor workout pods/classes and indoor workout pods in the basketball court. These pods are 6 feet apart and have their own equipment so you have more spaces to exercise, indoors or outdoors.

• Are the locker rooms open?
• Yes! The showers are available and we have added a clean/used indicator to alert our staff to sanitize showers in between use. Facial coverings must be worn while walking throughout the locker rooms. Saunas and steams rooms are also open with appropriate capacities in place. Items such as Q-tips and cotton balls are available upon request. The locker rooms are sprayed with BioSafe water every hour.

• Are facial coverings required?
• Yes, facial coverings are required per the county and state order. Facial coverings may be removed AFTER arriving to your spot in a group exercise class or when you are on a piece of cardiovascular equipment. At any point if you are leaving your designated space in a class (grabbing a wipe, leaving class) you must put your facial covering back on. If you are working out vigorously in the Fitness Center, facial coverings may be removed for a moment to catch your breath (while social distancing) and then promptly returned to covering your mouth and nose. If you do not have a facial covering, they are available for purchase in The Shop at The Houstonian or at the Welcome Desk.

• What sanitization procedures have been added to The Houstonian Club?
• BioSafe water is used daily in spray form and fogging machinery, throughout the facility. We installed a hospital-grade ventilation system and altered our  existing system to increase circulation of fresh air from the outside. There are increased hand sanitizer stations as well as wipe dispensers. We have increased our sanitizing schedule throughout every area in the Club including between every group exercise class. For more information per department, please click here.

• What happens if someone is not following facial covering or social distancing guidelines?
• We ask that you please report any concerns to our staff rather than confronting other Members. Our security and management team will address any issues. Anyone who does not follow proper facial covering or social distancing guidelines will be asked to leave for the safety of our Employees, Members and Guests.

• How is the Club enforcing social distancing?
• All group exercise classes are structured to keep Members six feet apart. Every other machine is closed off in the Fitness Center. Equipment and furniture have been rearranged throughout all areas of the Club to promote social distancing. Floor markers have been added in appropriate areas. Plexiglas has been installed as an added barrier of protection in various areas of the Club.

• How can I plan for a safe visit?
• Please enter wearing a facial covering and wear it throughout your time at the Club.
• All Members, Employees, Guests and Vendors are required to have their temperature checked and answer a COVID-19 questionnaire before entering. If you have any symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive, you will not be allowed to enter the Club.
• Group exercise classes require reservations (up to 6 days in advance) through the MindBody app.
• The Bungalow and Kid’s Gym ( Kid's Gym reservations required on Saturday and Sunday only) are available through our new Youth reservation system.
• Swim lanes require a reservation through our new Aquatics reservation system, the Garden Pool and Resort Pool only require reservations Friday – Sunday and during holiday weeks.
• There are ample wipes and BioSafe water stations for you to wipe down equipment before/after use in the Fitness Center. Please utilize the clean/used indicators so our staff knows which pieces of equipment need attention.

• What if I am not ready to return to the Club
• Our management team is more than happy to give you a tour of our new protocols in action at the Club. On our 27-acre campus we have ample outdoor options including racquet sports, swimming, outdoor track, outdoor workout pods and a growing outdoor group exercise schedule. We also are continuing our virtual group exercise classes. Virtual personal training, Pilates and yoga private sessions are available via Zoom, FaceTime, Skype or Google Meet.