Late Tuesday evening after the paper was completed, the Garretson Community Swimming Pool season was decided. The pandemic has impacted so many areas of life, many community members were hoping for this one piece of continuity and an activity for area children to participate in. While the outlook had not looked optimistic, the board decided in favor of opening the pool on June 1. Though it was long past deadline, the Gazette staff returned to work until after midnight to rework the initial article in order to include the latest information.
It will be opening and following CDC guidelines and City ordinances. A maximum of 50 people will be allowed at any time. CDC guidelines and the City Ordinance have continued to recommend that social distancing continue, which will likely be difficult to enforce at the pool, as oftentimes there are several children who are there without a parent. Any type of gathering prevention will have to be supervised by lifeguards.
Prior pool board decisions have opted to keep lifeguard supervision to life-saving duties exclusively, and haven’t wanted them distracted with other tasks. The Garretson Community Pool Board decided to remove the playground equipment located just north of the pool fence a few years ago and opted not to replace it, even though a $10,000 grant had been obtained for such replacement, citing not only liability insurance costs but the amount of supervision lifeguards were expected or able to maintain with regards to play equipment.
With the pool open, lifeguards will be required to maintain hygienic surfaces and to follow CDC guidelines in order to prevent spread. The Board announced that these areas will be cleaned after every break: locker rooms, chairs, water fountains, and other surfaces.
Private parties will not be allowed this summer, hours of operation may be flexible, and temperatures of all patrons will be taken prior to entry. Play toys of any sort, including goggles, will not be allowed at all, and the slide and diving board may be closed to reduce common touch-points. Season passes will be non-refundable, even if the pool is forced to close later due to the pandemic.
Other surrounding towns and communities have opted to either continue their wait-and-see holding pattern or have opted to close for the summer. Sioux Falls Park & Rec is currently under a hiring freeze, which means that filling staff rosters and training has not been able to happen. Last Thursday, Mayor Paul TenHaken stated that he would like to see the pools open for the summer.
Brandon has opted to keep its community pool closed for the season, following a recommendation from its parks and rec committee. According to the Brandon Valley Journal, the Brandon City Council voted 6-0 to keep the pool closed at their May meeting, citing COVID-19 as its main reason. Luverne is also closed. As of press time, a decision had not yet been released regarding Dell Rapids’ pool.
The Garretson City Council had had an informal update at its May 4 meeting, where it was revealed then that while the Pool has not yet called off the season, if its current lifeguard staff were offered a job elsewhere, they were being recommended to take the position.
Mayor Greg Beaner stated in the meeting that he would have no problem if it opens. He did note that handwashing stations and numbers would have to be watched.
Wild Water West announced its intentions to have a 2020 season on Monday, stating that they would be planning for a May 30 opening unless “conditions changed dramatically,” according to a press release.
No pool transmission has yet been recorded in regards to COVID-19. The CDC website states, “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. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.”
However, it does go on to state, “While there is ongoing community spread of COVID-19 of the virus that causes COVID-19, it is important for individuals as well as owners and operators of these facilities to take steps to ensure health and safety:
- Everyone should follow local and state guidance that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate.
- Individuals should continue to protect themselves and others at recreational water venues both in and out of the water – for example, by practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.
- In addition to ensuring water safety and quality, owners and operators of community pools, hot tubs, spas, and water play areas should follow the interim guidance for businesses and employers for cleaning and disinfecting their community facilities.”
Garretson Pool staff will be following these guidelines and wearing masks while working in the office area. Parents are being encouraged to remind their children to social distance, not only in the pool, but during break time and at the concession stand. Updates regarding swimming lessons will be posted next week.
As of Tuesday, Minnehaha County was still the most heavily-affected county in the state of South Dakota, with over 1,000 active cases.
