Lap up that new year feeling

The Lincoln City Community Center is back open and, to help celebrate, is holding a socially distanced version of the annual New Year’s Swim on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 9 to 11 am, where a group of swimmers will try to complete a total of 2,021 lengths of the center’s pool.

“This event is going to look very different from years past.” said Member Services Specialist LoRee LaFon, “It’s not going to be a big group event. We’ll be staggering swimmers in the pool in half-hour increments and also through the locker room. But we will be taking a video and posting it, because we still want this to be fun.”

To participate, reservations are required and can be made by calling Raleigh Bartholomew 541-557-5360.

“That way we can answer any questions about social distancing,” LaFon said. “We will also be collecting data from people that swim throughout the week since, with the limitations, it’s not likely we will get 2,021 lengths finished during the main event.”

To swim at any other time, you can make a general reservation through the front desk.

“We are limiting swimmers to one lane each, so six total at any one time, and two people in the small pool,” LaFon said. “The reservations do fill up so it’s good to plan ahead.”

Using the gym equipment, walking track or other part of the center is currently first-come, first-served.

“We only ask for reservations on the pool side,” LaFon said. “So far, we haven’t reached capacity on the gym side, so that’s been working out well.”

Center staff members have also been getting good workouts ensuring the safety of those visitors.

“Every 15 minutes we go through the whole center and sanitize,” LaFon said. “We all have certain areas we’re responsible for. We get so many people saying we are the cleanest place in town.”

LaFon said staff are committed to providing a safe place for guests to work out.

“Even with COVID-19, we’re still going to get it done.”

For more information, go to www.lincolncity.org/parksandrec or call 541-994-2131.