Star Hill Family Athletic Center | 100 Gerber Dr. Tolland, CT 06084 | 860-871-8800

Hi Everyone,

We hope you and your families have stayed safe and healthy during the past three months.

We are very pleased to announce that Star Hill will reopen on Monday, June 22nd.

We will follow the guidelines set forth by the state, and recommendations by the CDC and other organizations.

We will email members over the next several days explaining the rules and procedures we will all follow in order to help keep each other safe and healthy.

We will have modified facility hours during this initial phase of reopening.

The facility will be open:
Monday - Friday 6:00am - 7:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 8:00am - 12:00 noon

Please be aware that besides opening the building on Monday, we will also be starting summer camp on Monday (I know...).  As tough as the gym regulations are, the summer camp regulations are in many ways worse.  The majority of camp will be outside this summer (weather permitting).  We have completely redesigned camp aimed at meeting the state's requirements, keeping the kids safe, and keeping Star Hill's members safe.  The kids will only use the bathrooms in the dome, and some porta potties that we have brought in.  Members can use the bathrooms in the dome, but know the kids will be in and out.  The kids will not use the bathrooms in the lobby, upstairs, etc. in the building.  Lastly, in order to design camp in an outdoor space, the member parking area will not be available for parking this summer.  That area will be used for camp games & activities.

All-purpose facility regulations
Please follow all signage at the facility, including those regarding entrance & exit doors, and all social distancing regulations as posted.

All members will be required to wear a mask or face covering inside the facility except in areas noted.

• The State of Connecticut changed some of the distancing requirements just today (6/18/20). The new rules state that “non-vigorous” exercise can be performed without a mask if equipment is at least 6 feet apart (was originally 12 feet apart). This means all our fitness equipment can be used without a mask (treadmills, ellipticals, circuit machines, etc.).

Members should stay 6 feet away from other members, unless they are with members who live in the same household.

Star Hill will implement additional cleaning procedures throughout the facility.

Members are required to wipe down all exercise equipment prior to use and immediately after use. Star Hill employees will wear face masks, and will have temperatures taken before their shifts begin.

Members, by checking in at the front desk, you will be agreeing that
1) you are not currently experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms such as a fevor, cough, sudden loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or sore throat.
2) that you have not recently been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days. And
3) you have not returned from a trip outside the country in the last 14 days.

All water fountains will ONLY be used as a refill station for bottles. Common area seating will be removed to promote healthy social distancing

The locker areas and showers will be CLOSED to start.

There will be one shower available in both locker rooms for rinsing off prior to swimming ONLY. All other showers will be closed.

Bathrooms in the locker rooms will be open for members using the pool.

Members will have to make reservations to use pool lanes (for swimming laps & aqua exercise) and for certain group fitness classes.

More details will be communicated in future emails regarding the pool & fitness areas.

Members are encouraged to use the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the facility and wash their hands regularly.

Our child care room will remain closed during this initial phase of reopening.

Pool Rules & Regulations

Please note: Because the pool has not been used in three months, the temperature has dropped. We are working to get it back into a normal range. Until then we will post the pool temperature each morning so you can make the call that best suits you. We will plan the return of aqua aerobic classes once the pool temperature is normal.

Star Hill will be opening the pool along with the rest of the facility on Monday, June 22nd.

We will be enforcing the health regulations in and out of the pool dictated by the state of Connecticut.

Reservations will be required for lane use only (lap swimmers and aqua exercise). Please read the new rules and regulations for the pool and the reservation system below.
We ask that swimmers arrive in swimsuits and shower prior. One shower will be available in both the women’s and men’s locker room for rinsing only before swimming if needed. Locker areas & showers will be closed. Bathrooms in the locker rooms will be available.

Face masks or coverings must be worn while on the pool deck. You do not need to wear a mask while rinsing off in the shower or while swimming in the pool, but as soon as you are dry you must put your mask back on.

Maximum of 25 individuals in pool room (including those swimming & on the deck).

Social distance: All individuals must remain at least 6 feet apart from those they do not live with both in and out of the water.

Lifejackets: All families must bring their own Coast Guard-approved life jacket for non-swimmers. Star Hill will not be providing life jackets to members due to health regulations.

Shared equipment: Star Hill will not be providing shared pool equipment. The shared Storage Room will be off-limits to open swim/lap swimmers during this phase. Members are welcome to bring their own swimming devices such as kick boards, noodles, pull buoy, and pool weights.

Classes: Swim lessons/classes/practices can only be conducted if they do not require physical contact between student and instructor (e.g. swim team session, diving lessons. Aqua Aerobics)

There will be a maximum of one swimmer per lane unless the lane is being shared by members who live together in the same household.

Rules for Reservations: Reservations for lanes can be made the day before and are on a first come first serve basis. We ask that members call the front desk (860-871-8800) or reserve in person. Members from the same household may share a lane, but still must follow the reservation rules as if they were a single swimmer. Members may reserve a lane in 30 minute or 1-hour increments. Please understand that reservations are mandatory for lap lanes, walk-in swimmers are welcome, but must go to the front desk to check for lane availability and to reserve available time. Walk-ins may have to wait for a lane to become available.

Fitness Center, Group Fitness Classes, Personal Training

Rules & Regulations

Star Hill will be opening the fitness centers, restarting limited group fitness classes, and restarting personal training on Monday, June 22nd. We will be enforcing the health regulations throughout the facility dictated by the state of Connecticut. Reservations will be required for any group fitness class being held in the upstairs aerobic studio or the pool. Classes being held on the basketball courts will not require a reservation. Please read the new rules and regulations for the fitness areas and the group fitness reservation system below.

• The State of Connecticut changed some of the distancing requirements just today (6/18/20). The new rules state that “non-vigorous” exercise can be performed without a mask if equipment is at least 6 feet apart (was originally 12 feet apart). This means all our fitness equipment can be used without a mask (treadmills, ellipticals, circuit machines, etc.).
• Using the free weight room will require a mask IF members cannot stay 6 feet apart. If you can maintain 6 feet between members, no mask will be required.
• “Vigorous” exercise will still require a mask to be worn during exercise. Small group training is considered a vigorous exercise.
• Members should always stay 6 feet away from other members, unless they are with members who live in the same household.
• Star Hill will implement additional cleaning procedures throughout the facility.  Members are required to wipe down all exercise equipment prior to use and immediately after use.
• All water fountains will ONLY be used as a refill station for bottles.
• The locker areas and showers will be CLOSED to start. 
• Members are encouraged to use the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the facility and wash their hands regularly.

Group Fitness Classes

• Star Hill will open with a LIMITED offering of group fitness classes. The new class schedule can be found on our website.
• A reminder, you must wear a mask to enter the facility. Once you are in the group fitness room or on the basketball court where the class will take place, find & setup a station/bike, then you can remove your mask. All group fitness classes have been designed to keep participants 12 feet apart. Tape has been placed on the floor to designate participant areas. Masks must be worn during the break-down and clean-up process.
• Rules for Reservations: Members will have to make reservations for any class being held in the upstairs aerobics room or the pool (aqua aerobics classes will start as soon as the pool temperature is back in the target range). Reservations for classes can be made the day before and are on a first come first serve basis. We ask that members call the front desk (860-871-8800) or reserve in person. Capacity for classes in the aerobics room is 13, and 12 in the pool.
• You must arrive 10 minutes prior to the start of class and check-in at the front desk. If you do not check-in 10 minutes prior to the start of class, your spot will be given to another member who is waiting. If you do not have a reservation, and the class is full, check-in at the front desk and place your name on a waiting list. If members who have reserved a spot in the class do not check-in by 10 minutes before the class is scheduled to begin, you will be given those spots in the class.
• Initially, Star Hill will not allow any guests to use the facility, including drop-ins for our group fitness classes. With the limited capacity in the gym, classes, pool, and dome, we do not want to take space away from our members, & we do not want to introduce any unnecessary health risks to our members.
• There will be designated “Entrance” and “Exit” doors into the aerobics room and pool. Please follow the signs.
• Members MUST bring mats and water bottles to class. Shared equipment will not be allowed in this initial phase.

Personal Training

• Trainers will be in touch with clients to discuss restarting your training

• The Dome - Rules & Regulations

  Star Hill will be opening the dome on Monday, June 22nd. We will be enforcing the health regulations throughout the facility dictated by the state of Connecticut.

  • The tough part about the dome is that there are regulations for controlled practices and games, but not for “free play”. Therefore, everyone in the dome will have to wear a mask except for the following:
    • Participants of a group fitness class taking place on a basketball court
    • Participants playing pickle ball
    • Walkers on the track if they can maintain 6 feet separation with all other members (except if you are walking with someone who lives in the same household as you).
    • Summer camp kids (but counselors will wear a mask)

  Everyone else must wear a mask during their activities, including playing any sport on a turf field or basketball court.

  However…regardless of whether you have to wear a mask or not during your activity, everyone must wear a mask into the building, and around the building before and after your activity (so pickle ball players who are between games will have to put a mask on, etc.)

  • Members should always stay 6 feet away from other members, unless they are with members who live in the same household.
  • Initially, playing basketball will not be allowed. It would be impossible to guarantee players could maintain proper 6 feet social distancing playing basketball.
  • Members will be allowed to play soccer, throw a football, etc. on the turf fields, but must always remain 6 feet away from other participants (again, unless they live in the same house).
  • RC Flying will be allowed, but participants will have to wear a mask during the activity.
  • The BLACK turf field will be reserved between 8am-5:30pm (Mon-Fri) for our summer camp program. Members cannot mingle with campers or camp staff.
  • Initially, Star Hill will not allow any guests to use the facility. With the limited capacity in the gym, classes, pool, and dome, we do not want to take space away from our members, & we do not want to introduce any unnecessary health risks to our members.
  • PLEASE, no one is allowed on the spinning bikes located at the back of the dome except for participants of a spinning group fitness class.
  • If participants in the dome do not follow the state-mandated rules, including wearing a mask when required, and maintaining proper 6 foot social distancing, they may be asked to leave and it may jeopardize their ability to use the facility during the State of Emergency.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing everyone at Star Hill soon.