With the shelter-in-place orders announced on March 19, Sierra 2 Center was immediately shuttered.
More than three months later, we are still closed as a community center – no classes, no wellness activities, no meetings, no Senior Center, no SCNA events. The 24th Street Theatre is closed for the remainder of 2020.
Sugar Plum Vegan Bakery, an essential food producer for grocery stores, has been able to continue operating. Some other tenants are now able to carry out their office business activities.
We have had some staff working remotely to continue to serve our customer base, provide communications and continue to keep administrative functions intact. Essential facility services staff have been on the property attending to necessary repairs and maintenance, along with supporting tenants that are able to visit their spaces.
Recent changes to Sacramento County’s health order have eased some restrictions. Religious gatherings, of which there are typically many at Sierra 2 Center, are able to resume with modifications as are day-care operations and day camps.
On June 15, Great Beginnings Child Development Center reopened with reduced hours and modified operations.
We are working with groups that typically meet at Sierra 2 for religious purposes as well as youth organizations that often hold their summer camps at Sierra 2 to assess their interest in returning. So far, the groups have not been interested in organizing their activities due to the potential health risk factors.
The state’s plan for reopening includes community centers in Phase 4. The next phase for us, when allowable, would be to layer in the tenant groups such as Sacramento Yoga Center, SMAA and Diamond Light meditation, and ongoing classes from renters considered “block users” along with classes in The Learnery.
One-time rentals, except those previously confirmed, and the Senior Center will likely come much later.
All activities will be subject to significant modifications. We will be doing business very differently from before March 19.
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Terri Shettle is executive director of the Sierra 2 Center.