City officials are readying to open the Marysville Municipal Pool for the 2020 season this weekend. The pool will be open to season pass holders only from 4-8 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the pool will operate under certain restrictions imposed by the Union County Health Department and Ohio Department of Health. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
“Working our tails off” is how Marysville officials described their efforts to get the city pool ready for Friday’s opening.
“We want to assure everybody that we are taking all the necessary precautions that the CDC, the Union County Health Department and everybody is recommending for pools to reopen,” City Manager Terry Emery said. “We are taking this seriously, but we are also serious that we believe our citizens and residents of Union County could use a facility like the Marysville pool to open as close to normal as we can and that’s what we are doing.”
Pool Manager Scott Hamilton said pool staff is working “very closely” with officials from the Union County Health Department.
Amanda Morris, city recreation and event manager, said that to follow the safety guidelines, the pool would be limited to 200 patrons at a time. She said normally the pool could handle about 1,000 patrons.
The city will actually track the number of patrons in the pool facility at any one time. Morris encouraged anyone wanting to come to the pool to check the live tally to make sure there is capacity.
It will not just be the number of people that is restricted. The pool will be available to residents of Union County or those who work in Marysville.
Emery said many communities will not open their pools this summer and Marysville could have an influx of people wanting to use the local pool. He said taxpayers pay for the pool and, “we want to put them first.”
Council member Alan Seymour said officials know the city will lose money on pool operations this season.
“The ability to offer this to the community at this time is well worth taking the hit to make our residents feel as though we are making our way back to normal,” Seymour said.
Emery called this weekend, “a dress rehearsal” on that journey.
Friday during the morning and afternoon, the staff will finalize trainings and inspections. At 4 p.m., the pool will open for the season.
This weekend will have a bit of a different schedule. The pool will be open 4-8 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, for season pass holders only.
Beginning Monday, the pool will open to the public from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Only season pass holders will be admitted from noon to 1 p.m. each day. Assuming the pool has not reached the 200-patron capacity, others will be allowed into the facility beginning at 1 p.m. While officials will not clear the pool, they will also restrict admission to season pass holders only from 5 to 6 p.m. each day.
Toddlers will be able to use the pool from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Families will need to register ahead of time as space is limited. Morris said this is not something the city has done in the past, but patrons have asked for it and it was a way to add value for season pass holders. Those pass holders will be able to reserve swimming lanes during that time also.
Another change will be for spectators. Officials said that in the past those who came to the pool, but didn’t want to get in the water were admitted free.
“Because of capacity, we will require that all patrons pay admission,” Morris said.
Hamilton said the pool will bring back a seasoned staff. He said that has been “a godsend.” He said returning staff members have helped officials plan for “things we never even thought of.”
Hamilton said the pool concession stand will be fully operational, though there will be some modifications. It is “highly recommended that all guests wear masks at all times where social distancing cannot be practiced.” Officials said that includes the concession stand as well as on the pool deck, restrooms, locker rooms and admissions area.
The pool will not supply chairs, picnic tables, umbrellas or towels. Patrons wanting a chair or towel will need to bring their own. Toys and inflatables will not be welcome. Children under 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Pool officials are asking patrons to come in their swimsuits and leave in their swimsuits if possible. Morris said that limits the number of people in the locker rooms. While the locker rooms will be open, showers will be closed.
“When we can be a little more flexible with what we can do, we will,” Emery said. “We will stay within the guidelines as we always do, but as things get loosened, we will respond to that.”
“As difficult as it has been getting through this process, I think being able to have the ability to go to our public pool will give people the opportunity to feel summer,” Emery said at Tuesday’s city council meeting. I think it will be a relief to have our pool operating.”
Emery said that with the pool slated to open, he will look at opening the Partners Park splash pad. He said he doesn’t want to open the splash pad until the Partners Park restrooms can open safely. Once the splash pad is operational, participants will need to register for a time. A city employee will be at the splash pad to enforce the rules.
Emery reminded residents that pool passes will be at a 15% discount for the entire season. Those wanting to buy a pool pass or to keep up to date with the real time attendance are asked to visit the Marysville Municipal Pool website.