GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. -- Family-run fitness center, River City Youth Fitness in Goochland is opening its doors to students giving them a safe space to learn and play during virtual school.
Fletcher Hamblin and his family own the gym.
He says it was closed during early coronavirus phases this past summer but is now open for business in accordance with state guidelines.
Along with recreational classes, the center has a flexible program for students to study online during the day and spend free time in the gym.
Coach Fletcher says the kids earn their time in the gym by getting their school work done.
He says their gym is a 13,000 square foot gymnastics facility.
"When they're out in the gym there is a lot for them to do and explore and play," he said. "But it's not freeplay, we make it very clear that their safety comes first. And so we are out here to monitor, but they kind of can do anything they want to do provided and safe."
The Hamblins have added extra cleaning routines and screen everyone who enters the facility in an effort to reduce coronavirus exposure.
They keep students socially distanced while they learn and reduce the number of recreational classes during the day.
Hamblin says demand for the program is increasing as the weather gets colder and parents head back to work.
More information on River City Youth Fitness can be found here.