Lowrey explained that opening the pool was important because children have been “cheated out of so much already” because of COVID-19.
New Carlisle Service Director Howard Kitko said the City of New Carlisle has worked with the Clark County Combined Health District to create a reopening plan that follows the State of Ohio’s and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines and recommendations.
READ: Raising Cane’s to open Clark County location in February
Below are a few of the new guidelines, according to a post on the pool’s Facebook page:
- Membership sales are limited to individuals that have purchased a pool pass within the last three years.
- The first operating hour of the day is dedicated to members and residents only.
- There is an online and call ahead reservation system for members only.
- There is no re-entry.
- Patrons are not permitted to swim or gather in groups of more than 10 individuals.
- Patrons must stay six feet from those they do not live with.
- Patrons are not permitted to sit on the pool steps.
- Chairs will be grouped and spaced six feet apart and may not be removed. Patrons are encouraged to bring a towel or sheet to use as a chair cover. Patrons may bring their own chairs.
- Individuals under the age of 13 are required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
- There is a maximum capacity of 135 individuals at the complex.
The post said, “We fully expect to be at maximum capacity most days. Please call ahead or check our Facebook page often.”
There will also be designated areas for entering and exiting and certain areas will be cleaned every two hours, with high-touch areas cleaned every 45 minutes, the post said.
Kitko said that the guidelines will “remain fluid and we may have to make adjustments to those guidelines” depending on how the operations are working.
The lifeguards and pool manager will enforce the guidelines throughout the day, Kitko explained. Those not following guidelines will be asked to leave.
READ: Fair food coming to local neighborhoods
“We’ve got a lot of good people that work at the pool as far as a lot of high school students that are lifeguards and work the front gate and our managers - they do a great job,” Lowrey said.
He added that he thinks the majority of residents and patrons will understand why the guidelines were put into place and be happy to abide by those rules.
“The first couple days may be a little chaotic until everybody gets a hand on how everything truly needs to run,” Lowrey said. “We know how to run it. It’s just how to actually put it in place and make sure it operates smoothly for everybody.”
The New Carlisle pool is open noon to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, search for the New Carlisle Pool on Facebook.
About the Author