Plans are in place

The COVID-19 plans are in place.

The Jay County Summer Swim Team, Portland Rockets, Portland Junior League and Jay Community Center’s Boomer T-ball league have all submitted and had their operational plans signed off by Portland Mayor John Boggs and Jay County Health Department environmentalist and administrator Heath Butz.

Each organization was ordered at the Portland Park Board meeting on June 2 to have them submitted by Friday in for Butz and Boggs’ approval.

While each organization’s guidelines have been devised in cooperation with the Jay County Health Department, they are subject to change upon updates or revisions set forth at the state and local level.

The biggest hurdle that had to be cleared was by the Jay County Summer Swim Team, which typically has more than 100 competitors, boys and girls ranging in age from 6 to 18.

During meets, the team will not have a specific area of Portland Water Park to set up as a “camp.” Instead, swimmers will stay with their family members outside of the fence, and the 6-foot social distancing guidelines will be adhered to between families.

Family members will be allowed to come into the pool area for the race of their respective swimmer and will be required to leave at the conclusion of the race.

All meet personnel including timers and table workers will be wearing masks, and equipment will be sanitized after each meet.

Designated areas will be marked for swimmers in the next heats to wait, and they won’t be able to wander into other lanes. No pool furniture will be used during meets.

The availability of concessions will be determined by Portland Water Park staff.



Portland Rockets

Signs are posted around Portland Memorial Park’s Runkle-Miller Field regarding the social distancing guidelines, and it is expected those will be adhered to.

Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs to best help with social distancing. Bleachers will still be available, and fans are asked to abide by the 6-foot rule.

Only players, umpires, coaches and media will be allowed in the dugout and on the field.

As for concessions, the Rocket Lunching Pad may have a limited number of items available to reduce the risk of exposure of patrons and stand workers, the latter of whom will be wearing masks and gloves.

The Rockets ask no children younger than 7 go to the Lunching Pad without a parent or guardian. Additionally, the Lunching Pad will not sell or condone the use of sunflower seeds or chewing gum and recommends players not use these items as well.

PJL/Boomer T-Ball

Games at Weiler-Wilson Park will be staggered to reduce the chance of overlapping, and each game is expected to start on time with no delays.

Parents and guardians are asked to limit immediate family — those living in the household — to attend games. Seating will be limited as well. Parents are asked to bring lawn chairs, and spectators are asked not to stand along the fence near dugouts, and instead position themselves along the foul lines and outfield fences. The area around the dugouts will be for players and coaches to socially distance.

Golf carts and dogs are not permitted.

One window at the concession stand will be for placing an order and paying, while the other will be for serving those items. Staff will be required to wear masks and gloves.

As for games, only two coaches will be allowed in the dugout, and players should not partake in any physical contact such as hand shaking, hugging, high fives or prayer lines. It is also strongly recommended equipment not be shared.