Swimmers are diving into local outdoor pools
BY JOAN JANZEN
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Everyone is looking forward to diving into the pool this summer, and outdoor swimming pools in the area are doing their best to accommodate everyone, while meeting all the required public health regulations.
The Leader Swimming Pool opened on July 1, offering additional hours in order to accommodate as many people as possible. “We don’t want to turn anyone away,” Recreation Director, Brooke Clary said.
Swimmer 4 to Star lessons are offered to start during the first two weeks and then other lessons are offered after that. There will be room for seven children per lessons with three instructors available. Following the Lifesaving Society’s guidelines caused the biggest change in regards to swimming lessons this year. Instructors are required to teach from the deck, which means a parent or guardian will need to be in the water with their child from Parent and Tot to Swimmer 4 levels.
Social distancing at the Leader Pool.
PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST
“Everyone is excited and we were very busy taking registrations. There was a big push in the community as we made it all work,” Brooke said.
Public swimming in the Leader pool will be limited to fifty persons. Life jackets will be provided, but there won’t be any water toys provided.
In the town of Kerrobert, a difficult decision was made at the June 10 council meeting. Since the pool is older and in need of maintenance, the decision was made to not open the pool this year. “This is a good year to get repairs done,” Recreation Director, Bobbi Hebron said. “But it was a heartbreaking decision. The Kerrobert pool opened in 1961, and was only closed one year since then. We haven’t been without a pool since.”
Nevertheless, the residents of Kerrobert are offering a lot of community support.
The pool in Eatonia opened the week of July 6th, offering Level 5 lessons, but are hoping to reassess in August, as requirements change. Aqua sizes will be offered, but the pool hours had to be reduced in order for the necessary cleaning to be done at night.
However, the pool will be sure to be a busy place. As Recreation Director, Janina Evans observed, “I noticed most people aren’t going away this summer.”
Meanwhile, in the town of Eston, the pool opened in the beginning of July for public swimming, however swimming lessons will not be offered this year.