Sr. VP of Operations Chip Conway details how Broncos are keeping facilities safe amid reopening

[Miles]

AD: We've seen the photos of signage up around the building and designating one-way hallways. How involved was your team in the configuration and set up of those precautionary measures?


CC: "We have a good task force working for the organization, and they gave us some good detail on what they were looking for. We sat down and drew up a map and submitted it to the group for them to approve. We were just trying to figure out a traffic flow that works best to move around the building and where is signage needed. We're trying to make it as easy as possible for everyone when they come back in the building so that it's easy to maneuver around the building and keep everyone at a safe distance."


AD: Operations works with other departments a lot, but which departments did you need to work with closely during this reopening process?


CC: "Pretty much all of them. Security and the trainers and the equipment guys and the video guys, personnel. I don't think there was a group that we didn't work really closely with to make sure everyone had their needs taken care of and that we were able to work as a whole to get everything up and going when it needed to be."


AD: You've been with the Broncos for nearly three decades. I'd imagine this task was unlike any you've had to deal with before from an operations standpoint?


CC: "Absolutely. This is one I never dreamed we'd be preparing for — nor do I want to prepare for it again. Hopefully we learn from this and if this ever comes up again we'll be better prepared for it."


AD: Are there still things that need to be done before players or coaches return, or is the plan pretty much in place?


CC: "The plan is in place. I think there are some decisions that still need to be made by whether it's by Coach Fangio or John Elway or the task force as to the amenities and what level we have food available and to what extent to the players and coaches and staff — and how we distribute the food. As well as the weight room — how many people can access it at a time? There's a lot of decisions. I think we're still waiting on some information from the league, some parameters or guidelines that they're going to set forth to all the teams. We're hoping to see some of that information soon, just so we have a better understanding of how we're going to do it ourselves."


AD: You're one of the few people back in the building. What's the mood like at UCHealth Training Center?


CC: "I think, if you could see people's smiles underneath the masks, you'd have seen a lot of smiles this morning when they were coming in. It was good. It was good to see people. It was good to see someone not just through a Zoom conference or hear their voice over a phone call. It was nice to be present."