Gyms Seek Continued Federal Government Assistance

Gyms throughout the Hudson Valley ask for more assistance in their recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

After being closed for months, gyms were allowed to reopen towards the end of the summer season going into early fall, but with several changes.

“We changed our hours, every staff member disinfects throughout the day, and a social distance of six feet is required at all times,” said Kerri Palermo, Chief Operations Officer of Mike Arteaga’s in both Poughkeepsie and Highland. “And that’s not even all of the new protocols.”

This sign is on display at the Arteaga’s location in Highland, reminding patrons to wear a mask among entry.

Before the pandemic, Arteaga’s offered over 40 group exercise classes, child care, and equipment along with other amenities, all while being open almost 18 hours every weekday and 12 hours on weekends.

With these new changes, the most prominent being less patrons inside at one time, Arteaga’s took a monetary hit. They had to find ways to pay bills while also paying employees.

“We applied for the SBA loan that was offered, so we were able to continue paying our staff for a bit of time,” said Palermo, “but sadly once that ran out, everyone had to go into unemployment.”

Each patron is provided a towel after they enter Arteaga’s to use throughout the duration of their workout, and once completed they need to place it in one of these baskets to show that they are dirty.

South Orange Family YMCA in Monroe, N.Y. underwent similar circumstances. Being a non-profit organization, they received approximately $750 thousand from a recently-founded federal PPP loan as a result of the pandemic.

“We were very fortunate,” said Ross Miceli, Chief Operations Officer of the YMCA of Middletown. “We were able to bank some money to be able to get through these tough times.”

These tough times also happened to come about during an election year. The federal government established several relief programs that businesses could apply to for recovery assistance, like the PPP, or Paycheck Protection Program, which was enacted by the Small Business Administration.

A cleaning station at Arteaga’s in Highland.

Since businesses were closed for several months, financial recovery will be a long and gradual process. These aid packages were passed by the current administration under President Trump, and now that former Vice President Joe Biden was elected as the 46th President, it is uncertain if these federal programs will continue to be funded under his administration, as these businesses will still need financial assistance.

“If I could ask for anything from the next administration, it would be how are they going to help non-profits that have been hit and how they are going to help them recover and make sure they stay afloat,” said Miceli, “because we’re essential to the communities we provide services to.”

Palermo echoed similar sentiments. The following was said one week before the news of Vice President Biden’s election: “Whichever candidate wins, it would be great if we could receive additional assistance packages to help us financially,” said Palermo. “It would be great to eventually get back to where we were before the pandemic.”

The new COVID-19 protocols put in place are expensive, as they have to meet certain guidelines. With less influx of patrons, these businesses are relying on the aid provided by the government to remain operational as they continue to ride the pandemic out.