The public health situation is rapidly changing, here are the latest updates affecting City facilities.
The City of Oak Ridge is supporting the “Tennessee Pledge” efforts by the state government. Please refer to State of Tennessee websites for updates and advice on precautions to be taken by particular businesses.
SENIOR CENTER
(865) 425-3999
• A phased reopening of the Senior Center began Nov. 3.
• During the first phase of reopening the Senior Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This limited schedule will allow time to clean and disinfect the building between sessions.
• Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability, the following safety protocols will be in place:
• Participants and staff will be required to wear face masks and follow social distancing standards while in the building.
• Upon entry, all participants will be asked COVID-19 screening questions and temperatures will be checked.
• Those who have COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted to participate in programs.
• Each participant will be required to fill out new information and release forms when they return to the building for the first time
• During Phase I, participants will be required to call ahead to schedule activities so that room and building capacity limits can be observed.
• The Recreation Room will be available for pool or ping pong in one-hour increments, with a limit of six players at any one time.
• The exercise room will be open to schedule 45-minute sessions.
• Equipment use will be limited to one machine per person per session and there will be no more than 3 participants allowed in the room at a time.
• The Senior Center will also be offering a limited number of spots for one-on-one technology assistance to participants.
• This will include help using smartphones, laptops, and other devices as well as guidance on the use of social media and conferencing applications (such as Zoom).
• Other programs and activities will be phased into the Senior Center schedule as conditions permit.
• Participants are asked to bring bottled water, as water fountains will not be open at this time.
• The ETHRA Senior Nutrition Program Home Delivered Meals (“Meals On Wheels”) will continue.
• The MyRide program is discontinued. Residents may schedule rides for trips within the city with Oak Ridge transit by calling (865) 482-2785 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents can schedule rides outside of the city by calling ETHRA transit services at 1-800-232-1565.
RECREATION & PARKS
(865) 425-3450
• City playgrounds have reopened with COVID-19 precautions in place. Click here to read more.
• Trails, greenways, and parks including tennis courts, and Blankenship Field and Track remain open for walking and jogging use.
• The indoor pool is open.
• Click here to view the schedule for various rental groups and open lap times or visit here. Private pool parties and group/club outings are unavailable at this time.
• COVID-19 protocols are in place and capacity limits will be enforced. Locker rooms are unavailable at this time.
• The Recreation Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Rooms are available for rent. Activities, like art classes and volleyball clinics, are being added to the schedule.
• Masks are required in all areas (staff and the public). Patrons’ temperatures will be taken as they enter. Staff will inquire about COVID-19 symptoms/exposure (per current building postings). Areas will be sanitized by staff after each use. Numbers in each area of the buildings will be limited based on safety protocols. Call (865) 425-3450 for specific room limits.
• The restroom at Melton Lake Park is open when Adventures Outdoors is open. Their staff is providing periodic cleaning and sanitizing while open.
(865) 425-3455
- Library users are invited to place holds on books, movies, music, and audiobooks through the library’s catalog, http://orpl.ent.sirsi.net/. Curbside hours are Monday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you would like help finding items to read, watch, or listen to, please call (865) 425-3455 for assistance placing holds.
- Patrons will be notified when their items are ready to be picked up. Look for the reserved parking spaces in the library’s parking lot, call the number on the sign, and library staff will bring your items to your car.
- Wireless hot spots are also available to the public through the library’s curbside service. You can place hot spots on hold through the library’s catalog or call the front desk for assistance.
- Patrons can print from their phone or another device via our mobile printing service at ORPL.org and pick up their prints through curbside. Prints will be held for 7 days, and cost $0.10 per page.
- When the staff is busy or unavailable, you can always email Reference@oakridgetn.gov and a staff member gets back to you as soon as possible. As always, if texting, chatting, or emailing is not an option, please call (865) 425-3455.
- Unfortunately, the library will not be able to accept donations while the building is closed. Please hold onto any gently used books until the library is fully open to the public once again.
• Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates.
CENTENNIAL GOLF COURSE
(865) 425-5353
• Water coolers at the Centennial Golf Course remain off the course.
• Restrooms have reopened and are being cleaned and sanitized twice daily.
• Ball washers remain off the course but, flags on the putting green have been replaced.
• Golf carts can now be shared, however, if a player has concerns about the virus, they may take their own cart for a small fee. Carts are still being sanitized after each round.
• Golf cups have been replaced back to normal play.
• The driving range and range machine are open.
• The grille at the golf course clubhouse remains open with a limited menu.
• The beverage cart is running more often to serve our customers in the open environment and encouraging distancing by not having to enter the clubhouse for their food and beverage needs.
