Some pools close for season, New Carlisle to open ‘as soon as possible’

Two pools and an aquatic center in Clark and Champaign counties have decided to close for the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, but one has decided to open.

During the New Carlisle City Council meeting on Monday, council members voted to open the city’s pool ‘as soon as possible.’

However, New Carlisle Mayor Mike Lowrey told the News-Sun last week that the city’s pool will open June 5 “unless some unforeseen problems arise.”

Another Clark County pool, the CRC Pool in South Charleston, posted Monday on their Facebook page that they have decided to close for the season due to the guidelines and regulations.

“We do not feel that we can guarantee the safety of our employees or our members,” the post said. “Safety has always and will continue to be our top priority. We will see you in 2021.”

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Guidelines for pools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as handrails, slides, door handles and chairs, modifying layouts to allow members of different households to maintain six feet from each other and encouraging patrons to maintain six feet apart from non-household members even in the water.

Splash Zone Waterpark in Springfield has also decided to close for the season.

In Champaign County, The Wendell B. Stokes Municipal Pool in Urbana will be closed for the season.

“After further review and consideration, we are not reversing our decision and will keep the Municipal Pool closed for the 2020 season,” the city of Urbana said Thursday on their Facebook page. “The three-page list of guidance and protocols surrounding continuous sanitizing, social distancing and crowd restrictions have made it impractical to open for the 2020 pool season.”

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On May 14, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that beginning Tuesday, May 26, public and club pools that are regulated by local health departments are permitted to reopen if the facilities can meet required safety protocols.

Prior to DeWine’s announcement, the city of Urbana and the local YMCA said the pool would be closed, but they said they would reconsider.

“Our primary concern is for the safety of our patrons and staff, and unfortunately it takes more than just chlorine and sunshine to ensure that,” the post said.

A press release from DeWine’s office on May 14 said, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas.”

By following cleaning, operating and maintenance guidelines, facilities “should inactivate the virus in the water,” the press release said.

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