The NBA (National Basketball Association) is back and ready for the 2021 Season. Professional basketball was mid-season when the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States. They managed to finish out the season, creating a “bubble” at Walt Disney World. 2020 was certainly a year of unpredictability and the league pivoted to a viable solution.
Much like the NBA, we found ourselves in the middle of a pandemic and opening up our state-of-the-art sports complex. As many businesses scrambled to find ways to stay open and operate safely, we evaluated and created successful processes and procedures so we could bring basketball and sports to the Ohio Valley.
How Does This Affect Highlands Sports Complex and Basketball Programs?
There is no doubt that athletic directors, coaches, trainers, and sports facilities are looking at what professional and collegiate programs are doing. This unprecedented territory has everyone finding the balance of safety and normalcy. Although we operate independently from these professional organizations, we find their ability to test at scale is a great way for us to trial and error.
Highlands Sports Complex has basketball leagues, camps, classes, and training programs that are second-to-none in Wheeling and the Tri-State Area. We provide safe, impactful programs for your children and for adults. Every program is a bit different but the approach to safety is not.
Fieldhouse and Basketball Court Safety Measures
With six basketball courts, we have the ability to distance all games and programs. We have strategically placed our viewing areas so you are not forced to gather with members outside of your viewing party. We have the square footage to run successful basketball leagues and camps without forcing spectators or visitors to feel uncomfortable to watch the action.
Our venue will have reduced capacity for occupancy and is adjusted based on governor guidelines. In some cases, advanced reservations will be needed to reduce the need to turn people away. If you have questions regarding an event, league, or camp, you can always contact us directly online or call during business hours.
Basketball Player and Participant Safety Measures
Throughout our venue you will notice signage warning and prompting awareness regarding COVID-19. Guests who have had symptoms or exposure will not be allowed in the venue. Guests will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entry. There are stations near all main entrances and exits.
Your health is your responsibility. We screen and ask visitors and participants the standard coronavirus questions:
- Have you had exposure to COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
- Have you experienced:
- Cough or shortness of breath?
- Fever?
- Loss of taste or smell?
We reserve the right to institute further COVID-19 screening to ensure guests are not endangering others.
Sanitation, Team Members, and Food Service Area
Keeping our viewing areas, courts, and venue sanitized is a top priority. Restrooms are cleaned with sanitizing solutions several times a day. We have placed signage throughout the venue encouraging distancing, hand washing, and other safe practices. We also have hand sanitizer in high traffic areas.
Our team members are temperature tested before each shift and screened. All team members and staff are required to wear face-coverings (based on CDC guidelines). We limit congregating of 10 or more members in break rooms or common areas. Our team is trained to proactively sanitize and clean while working (wiping down equipment, benches, bleachers, and commonly touched surfaces).
Our kitchen and food service area has incorporated CDC recommendations, OSHA and local health department standards. We have extensive cleaning standards in place for food preparation and public seating areas. Our team members are washing hands frequently and forced to changed gloves (more than once per 30 minutes). We have also converted to single-use or digital menus.
Basketball at the Highlands During the Pandemic
Basketball season is here. Basketball parents, coaches, and players are used to dealing with the Ohio Valley weather (so many snowy road trips to games in the past), but we are all new to our current conditions.
The NBA decided to use a “bubble” in 2020. This year they have loosened the restrictions, but still focusing on safety.
We are following suit by providing safe basketball programs in 2021. We know that staying attentive to our current climate and restrictions will enable us to proactively change and adapt so our players, teams, and athletic partners can have a successful basketball season.
Coach Bobby Knight said it best – “Good Basketball Always Starts with a Good Defense”.
Our knees are bent, hands are up, and we are ready to deny the pandemic.
- Blog
- Basketball
- December 21, 2020
