By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green City Pool and Waterpark will remain closed this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, city officials announced this morning.
“It’s very disappointing. We really, really, really want to provide services and have things go back to a sense of normalcy,” said Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley.
“We know how important the pool is to the community,” she said. “But at the end of the day, it’s the right decision.”
This means no dips on hot days, no swimming lessons, and no summer employment for about 60 staff at the pool.
“Our pool is fairly new, but it wasn’t designed for a global pandemic,” Otley said this morning
This was a difficult decision and one that was not made lightly, according to Mayor Mike Aspacher.
This decision was made in consultation with staff, health professionals, and a review of the governor’s guidelines regarding the opening of pools. The Parks and Recreation staff has been reviewing the CDC guidelines for pools since April and the final guidelines from the State of Ohio that were released last weekend.
“We looked at every possible scenario” for opening the pool, Otley said.
But in order to comply with CDC and state guidelines, several parts of the waterpark could not be opened, including the slide, diving boards, splash pad, and play features, she said.
Several plans were considered that attempted to keep the pool and waterpark open on a limited basis. But each plan ultimately showed that the best decision for the community was for the facility to remain closed through 2020, according to Aspacher.
Under the state’s guidelines, the number of people allowed to enter the facility and the pool areas would be dramatically decreased in order to achieve the proper level of social distancing. Movement in the water and around the pool deck would be dramatically curtailed.
“Furthermore, we could not meet the state’s guidelines for the proper distancing of staff throughout the facility,” Aspacher stated.
Under the guidelines, 350 people would have been allowed in the facility, but only 150 in the water at one time.
“You have to be socially distant in the water and the deck,” Otley said.
The logistics would have been very difficult.
“You can’t wear a face mask in the water. Every single touch point would have to be cleaned constantly,” Otley said.
The health and well-being of the community and staff is at the heart of this decision, Aspacher said in a statement this morning.
“While I have been made aware of and understand that the virus may not be transmitted through the water, there were numerous points of analysis that factored into this decision,” the mayor stated.
The opening of the pool would also have caused a significant financial impact on the city considering the capacity, safety, and other guidelines. A financial analysis estimated losses at over $100,000 if the facility were to open.
The city also had to consider the possibility of the state ordering pools to close during the summer if a spike in COVID-19 cases occurs.
“We put a lot of expense at the front end to get it open,” Otley said.
“While the financial implications are one important determining factor in this decision, let me stress once again that the health and safety of our staff and citizens is foremost in this decision,” Aspacher said.
“This is a very painful decision to make as I recognize that the City Pool and Waterpark is one of the many reasons that BG is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” he continued. “Unfortunately, the risks associated with opening the pool are not acceptable during this pandemic. I look forward to hopefully being able to reopen next summer and appreciate your understanding.”
