City reopening Marguerite Tennis Pavilion Friday with strict COVID-19 guidelines in place

That’s great news for tennis ( golf and Natadores).

When can we see the same for the pickleball courts?

Open the Sierra and Montanoso pools.

Both have complete ability to open while not entering the main rec-center.

Per: CDC/USA SWIM/

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 spread through pools, hot tubs, spas, and water play areas?
There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.
While there is ongoing community spread of COVID-19 of the virus that causes COVID-19, it is important for individuals as well as owners and operators of these facilities to take steps to ensure health and safety:
Everyone should follow local and state guidance that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate.
Individuals should continue to protect themselves and others at recreational water venues both in and out of the water – for example, by practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.
In addition to ensuring water safety and quality, owners and operators of community pools, hot tubs, spas, and water play areas should follow the interim guidance for businesses and employers for cleaning and disinfecting.

Staff have been working on plans for reopening of City facilities and although we don’t have a date for the courts yet, rest assured we will publicize the information on our website, social media channels, and in the City's eNewsletter.

Why is a mask required when playing golf but not for tennis?

Will the courts at Sierra be open tomorrow as well?

Tennis players are required to wear masks when entering and departing the facility. While playing, they are across the court from one another (single play only, no doubles). Golfers are standing within the vicinity of each other on the course (as close as 6 feet). The re-opening of each facility will be unique based on the layout and the needs of our patrons.

The City is working on reopening plans for each facility. Each facility will be unique based on the layout and the needs of our patrons. We selected the Margurite Tennis Pavilion first because it was the facility with the most courts allowing for more play by the community. Over time we will continue to open facilities back up as restrictions lesson and budget allows.

City Recreation Centers at Montanoso, Sierra and Marguerite Aquatics Center and Outdoor Gym Equipment on the Village Green /Norman Murray Community Center.

We are so fortunate to have such great Recreation facilities here in our city which makes us stand out far ahead of other south county community’s

The closure of our recreation centers and outdoor gym equipment due to the Covid 19 pandemic is so sad but I do understand the reasoning for the cities action.

With that said I think I have a remedy to solve this problem which is caused in part of too many people not separating with enough space between each other. The way to solve this problem would be to open our Recreation Facilities with a reservation system - only allowing so many persons in the pool or gym workout weight machines at a time. Placing a Plexiglas panel between each workout area by each exercise station or in the case of lap swimming using every other swim lane at a time : I would, for example, make an appointment to swim at Montanoso from 2 to 3PM and that would keep over crowding down to a controlled usage. (I would think the chlorine added to the pool water would kill anything)

Also having and requiring the use of Hand Sanitizer at each station in our gym and the wearing of a facemask while working out in the gym. Many might think this is going too far - but at least we could keep our facilities open.

The same theory/rules would also apply to the outdoor exercise equipment at the Village Green by the Murray Community Center.

Thanks considering my proposal to keep out first class recreation centers open, safe and healthy to use,

Robert Knoke

Another BIG question is when will City Hall open? When will this government allow its people to observe the function of its government?

The Board of Supervisors attend its meetings in person, limiting space available for the public to attend its board meetings.

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita allows the public to attend its council meetings in person to observe and offer public comment, by following guidelines: wash your hands often, refrain from handshakes and maintain social distance of six feet.

The Lake Forest City Hall opens to the public on May 18 with distancing protocols in place and the public will be welcomed to attend city council meetings effective May 19. Some chairs in the chambers will be closed off to ensure observers sit six feet apart.

The City of Laguna Hills allows its resident to attend its council meetings in person.

The Laguna Niguel City Council Chambers are closed to the public until further notice. However, some members of the Laguna Niguel City Council may attend this meeting telephonically. The public is not allowed to attend in person but comments will be accepted continuously during the meeting via email and via the YouTube Live stream. All comments will be read into the record up to the time limit of three minutes.

Whereas in Mission Viejo, physical attendance by the public cannot be accommodated given the current circumstances and the need to ensure the health and safety of the City Council, City staff, and the public as a whole. In fact, it has been my observation that the only attendees in council chambers has been the city clerk, IT personnel and the city attorney. The rest of the executive staff and council members are at home attending through some of sort zoom type meeting structure.

Here are the rest of the Mission Viejo public restrictions: All public comments must be received by e-mail no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 12, 2020. Comments received by this time will be read aloud by a staff member during the applicable agenda item, provided that such comments may be read within the normal three (3) minutes allotted to each speaker. Any portion of your comment extending past three (3) minutes may not be read aloud due to time restrictions. If a general public comment or comment on a business item is received after 5:00 p.m., efforts will be made to read your comment into the record. However, staff cannot guarantee that written comments received after 5:00 p.m. will be read. All written comments that are not read into the record will be made part of the meeting minutes, provided that such comments are received prior to the end of the City Council meeting.