Cincinnati Sports Club: How a Local Organization Is Leading the Nation in Pandemic Responsiveness

The Clean Team doubled the daily usage of the Clorox 360 Electrostatic sprayer throughout the Cincinnati Sports Club. 

The Cincinnati Sports Club, a locally owned and operated lifestyle club, has spent the last 11 years preparing for a potential pandemic like COVID-19. Their Pandemic Preparedness Plan, a comprehensive outbreak response effort developed in 2009, is setting a national standard for emergency facility management, and has other fitness organizations from across the country reaching out for guidance.

“We knew the day might come when the CDC would issue national pandemic guidelines that would require us to change day-to-day operations for the safety of our members and employees,” said Club Facility & Operations Manager Marco Fiorini. “In response to the coronavirus, we initiated the Pandemic Preparedness Plan in late February by focusing on the three D’s: Distance, Density and Disinfecting. Our team was able to jump headfirst into execution mode rather than spending valuable time developing a plan as the situation progressed.”

The Cincinnati Sports Club’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan was designed for three potential outbreak scenarios: an epidemic or pandemic hits somewhere in the world and Club operations remain normal; an epidemic or pandemic hits the U.S. and the Club operates in a limited capacity; or an epidemic or pandemic hits the tri-state area and the Club closes for business. With all fitness facilities in Ohio shuttered until further notice, the CSC team is using this time to clean every inch of the Club from top to bottom.

Gina Westerfield and Cindy Leksan. tend to the spa rooms at Tonics Spa and Salon located inside the Club.

All fitness areas, the Children’s Center, locker rooms and private changing rooms are disinfected daily with a powerful electrostatic quat cleaner, while all weights, racks, machines, mats and every piece of equipment are scrubbed inside and out. This down time has also been an opportunity to perform much-needed maintenance services without disrupting the visitor experience, and deep-cleaning in areas that typically have a high usage has become more frequent.

As members of the IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & SportsClub Association), the Medical Fitness Association and the CMAA (Club Management Association of America), the Club has a strong history of being a national industry leader in facility and operations, risk management, staff education, and training. They are currently tracking pandemic management procedures at clubs that have reopened in Hong Kong and Singapore, and plan to implement new safety procedures focused on appropriate physical distancing, managing visitor density and constant disinfecting.

Brent Thole (Columbia-Tusculum) performing a deep clean of the 15 treadmills.

“Our members, staff, and guests have come to know and trust us for over 30 years, so it’s important that we show our commitment to high standards of cleanliness before, during, and after the state-mandated closure,” Fiorini said. “When things reopen, and people start getting back their daily lives, the Cincinnati Sports Club will continue to be a safe place for healthy, active lifestyles for both families and individuals.”

For a full copy of the Pandemic Preparedness Plan or more information, please contact Mary Frank at mfrank@cincinnatisportsclub.com.

Now in its 30th year, and locally owned and operated, Cincinnati Sports Club has grown steadily across 16 sprawling acres at 3950 Red Bank Road in Fairfax, Ohio. It is accessible by three street entrances – at 3950 Red Bank Road, 5535 Murray Avenue and 3939 Virginia Avenue. For more information about the Cincinnati Sports Club, visit www.CincinnatiSportsClub.com.