Bend bowling alley, church among those ready for Phase 2 reopening
(Update: Adding comments from Sun Mountain, Christian Life Center)
Businesses and churches around C.O. eager to open
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- If and when Deschutes County is approved for Phase 2 reopening, the Sun Mountain Fun Center in Bend is certainly ready to open.
Arcades and bowling alleys were not included in the original Phase 1 reopening guidelines from the state, but can open, with physical distancing and other requirements, under the Phase 2 guidelines announced Wednesday by Gov. Kate Brown.
While the amusement center has been partially closed for two months, it's undergone some major renovations, like a new bowling interface and seating.
“We are able with the new configuration and new remodel, to maintain quite a bit of distance between groups," owner Scott Ramsay said. "So we are able to say that this lane or pair of lanes is not in use, this pair is. It keeps people away from each other. We can even do the same thing every other set of lanes.”
Churches are also included in the Phase 2 reopening plans. Once approved for Phase 2, churches in Central Oregon would be able to hold indoor services with up to 50 people and outdoor services for up to 100 people. If larger churches meet proper social distancing guidelines, some could even offer services for up to 250 people.
Anthony Lee, the head pastor at Christian Life Center, said it's well overdue.
“It’s definitely time to be able to allow services to increase in size," Lee said. "I think that’s the general feeling across the board that a lot of churches are feeling, and I think it’s time to allow us to open up and be able to offer the services that we feel God has called us to.”
The Christian Life Center is only hosting online services at the moment. The church typically has about 300 people at its services every Sunday.
Lee hopes he'll be able to take advantage of his churches 7,000-seat outdoor amphitheater and be able to host outdoor services, if Deschutes County is approved.
