Huber Heights City Manager Rob Schommer said city leaders wanted to be ready to open the pool as soon as they were able to, so they filled the pool and kept up the aquatic center in hopes that the governor would make this decision.
“We’re happy that our decision to keep preparing the pool and the aquatic center as normal has paid off,” Schommer said.
Although pools are able to open, there will be several restrictions due to coronavirus. Schommer said during “adult swim” pool staff will sanitize high touch areas around the pool, chairs will be spaced out six feet apart and there will be signage up encouraging people to social distance.
Schommer said the pool will open for staff on May 26 and the city hopes to have it open to the public soon after that.
“We have the best of the best in terms of operators of the pool with the YMCA. They’re experts in safety and recreation,” Schommer said. “We won’t open before we make sure we have all our safety procedures in place.”
Soon after the Kroger Aquatic Center in Huber Heights opens, the Troy Aquatic Park will open in mid-June.
Attendance at any one time will be limited and those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Troy Recreation Board discussed challenges of opening the Troy park under regulations set by the state health department due to the coronavirus with recreation Director Ken Siler and Assistant Director Carrie Slater during its meeting Wednesday. The board voted unanimously to open the center.
Although the state said pools could open May 26, Siler said most won’t be in a position to open then. A season of June 15 to Aug. 16 was discussed although the board agreed the facility could be closed at any time if there are too many problems with operations.
Siler and Slater said they had been pouring over state guidelines released recently.
Top among concerns is the safety and health of patrons and staff followed by social distancing requirements for public and staff areas and handling of any rescue needs with social distancing requirements and health considerations. “Basically, that would not be possible to do that between a patron and a staff member,” Siler said of any rescue situation.
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Maximum capacity will be 190 people at any one time. Other people would be allowed to enter only as others leave. During the hottest days of summer in a normal year, around 450 people could be at the facility at one time.
Refunds will be issued for the 130 season passes bought already and entry to the center would be by daily admission only.
The concession would be open with a modified menu and fewer chairs would be available for visitors. There will be no pool rental this summer and no classes. Some pool features such as slides may not be available due to distancing requirements between patrons and pool attendants, Slater said.
“It is just going to be different,” she said of the atmosphere at the aquatic center. “It is going to be a very difficult summer for our staff.”
Board members said they were concerned about young people who normally work at the center in the summer working the gate and other areas where people could be confrontational. Siler said assistance from other city departments could be available to assist the desk and other locations instead of placing that burden on young employees.
Patrick Titterington, city service and safety director, said police and fire had not been approached directly about possibly assisting at the center but noted if there are issues that they would help with, such as security and and possible off duty EMT support, that can be discussed. Some costs associated with the COVID-19 situation can be submitted for reimbursement with special federal funds, he said.
Board member Doug Jackson said if the city can meet requirements and challenges, it would be appropriate to allow adults to decide if they want to attend the center. That approach would allow use of a city resource by the public, he said.
The municipal pool in Piqua was closed for the summer earlier as was the Sidney pool. Tipp City officials said they would likely make a decision on the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center this week.
Piqua officials decided earlier this year to close the city pool in 2020. The pool needs extensive repairs and the city has been looking at possible options.
Eggleston said the city council was notified of the decision Thursday. “It would be very difficult to keep individuals six feet apart in the water,” he wrote.
Nearby Vandalia and Miamisburg will not be opening their pools this summer because of the coronavirus.
Tipp City leaders said Thursday the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center will be closed this season because the city “does not want to be in a position of non-compliance” with state orders, said Tipp City Manager Tim Eggleston. The municipal pool in Piqua earlier was closed for this summer.
The city of Dayton’s water recreation sites are still in limbo, said city spokeswoman Toni Bankston.
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