By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
All hands are on deck to get the Bowling Green City Pool open for business starting on Saturday.
And just as expected during a pandemic, nothing is going as expected, according to Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley.
“As usual, you have a plan. Then it changes, then it changes again,” Otley told the parks and recreation board Tuesday evening.
When the pool opens on Saturday, it will still be under the state’s COVID regulations that require masks for many, and social distancing which will limit the number able to use the pool. For the first four days of the pool season, only passholders will be allowed, and 50% capacity will be allowed.
But when Wednesday comes – the day designated by Gov. Mike DeWine as when most COVID regulations are dropped – the pool’s rules change, Otley said.
“Once June 2 hits, we will not have limitations,” beyond the usual capacity limits, she said.
Otley knows there will be different reactions to the end to mandates.
“It’s a balancing act because people are at all different comfort levels,” she said. “If people want to wear their masks, they certainly can.”
In preparation for only allowing passholders to use the pool this summer, the parks and recreation board and foundation had set up a “splash fund” to help students who live in the city purchase pool passes. Families with financial hardships were already receiving discounts on pool passes, but the pandemic made it even more difficult for many to afford the passes, Otley said.
“We have had people using it,” she said, telling of one of the first passes going to a family in need. “The mom was practically in tears – she was so grateful,” Otley said.
With the changes in COVID restrictions, the parks and rec department has opened up water fountains, and as of June 2, new guidelines will go into effect at the community center.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Parks Natural Resources Coordinator Chris Gajewicz reported that he has been able to gradually get back to providing programming – at least in a limited fashion. Gajewicz recently offered birding walks, and earlier on Tuesday he taught a program on Wood County wildlife to all the seventh graders at Bowling Green City Schools.
It feels good to finally be back doing what he and his staff enjoy the most, he said.
Recreation Coordinator Ivan Kovacevic reported that park programs and camps will be offered this summer for city residents and non-residents.
Concerts and lunches in the park are also planned, with the Veterans Building available if the weather doesn’t cooperate for those events, he said.
In other business at the meeting, two retiring board members were recognized for their service. Jeff Crawford, who has served 10 years on the board, and Robin Veitch, who has served five years, were honored for being “critical to the quality of life” in Bowling Green, according to a mayoral resolution.
“You truly made a difference in this community,” Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter said.
Otley presented Crawford and Veitch with park T-shirts, and thanked them for serving the city, mentoring her and becoming a friend.
Otley also announced at the meeting that the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association selected the new Veterans Building in City Park as the second place winner among park capital improvement projects of $2.5 million or more in the state.
“That’s exciting,” she said.
