T-R photo by Lana Bradstream The Marshalltown Aquatic Center is set to reopen in phases beginning June 15, but hours of operation have not yet been set.

The Marshalltown Aquatic Center plans to open on June 15. 

Gov. Kim Reynolds reversed COVID-19 pandemic restrictions for pools last week so now the Aquatic Center will be able to open, though two to three weeks of preparation will be necessary for the doors to open. 

“We have been planning for it,” said Geoff Hubbard, the city parks and recreation director. “We’ve been trying to figure out when an opening day would be and what it’s going to look like.”

The pool is still under restrictions to only allow lap swimming and water walking until June 17. 

The city has not determined what times the pool will be open. 

“We’ll have a morning time frame and an afternoon and evening slot,” Hubbard said. 

If the governor lifts restrictions on June 17 then the Aquatic Center would open up to 50 percent capacity, but not before it has been open for two weeks from June 15.

“We might look at opening on June 29, to be opened by the Fourth of July for more open swim time,” Hubbard said. 

The center plans to open in phases this summer. The first phase would only include the outdoor pools being used lap swimming, water walking and swim lessons only. No general open swimming will be allowed. Swimmers will not gain entry into the facility if they have any symptoms or exposure risks as listed by the CDC guidelines.

Phase 1 of water walking and lap swim will be from June 15th to July 3rd with the following Monday through Friday schedule:

• Noon to 1 p.m.

• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The following procedures must be followed:

• Limited number of participants per session

• Participants must be 16 years of age or older

• All participants and staff temperatures will be taken prior to entry

• Participants must come “swim ready” as limited restroom facilities will be available,

• Social distancing is encouraged. Masks are encouraged while on deck but are not required in the water.

The second phase will open the pool at 50 percent capacity. 

“Right now we’re just in phase one,” Hubbard said. 

Staff and prospective lifeguards have been getting interviewed since before the COVID-19 pandemic closures. 

“We have interviewed staff because we knew we were going to open at some point,” Hubbard said. “We actually started interviews in March.”

The city plans to make offers to prospective staff soon and then begin training. 

“If everyone were to accept the job we would have the right amount of staff to be able to open,” Hubbard said. 

The aquatic center needs 15 to 20 staff members to operate the pool properly.

The staff will require additional training to handle both their jobs and how to do them during a pandemic. 

The pool will also be maintained without additional chemicals. 

On Tuesday night, the Marshalltown City Council rejected a motion to close the center down for the season. The proposed closure failed 3 to 3, Council Member Susan Cahill left before the measure and did not cast a vote. 

More than 15 other Iowa cities – such as Clive, Davenport, Iowa City and Sioux City – have made the decision to close down city pools for the season due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA has opened its pool for lap swimming and water walking already. 

“We’re going to keep ourselves and our patrons safe,” Hubbard said. 

——

Contact Thomas Nelson at tnelson@timesrepublican.com