ELORA – Grab your goggles and flippers – the indoor pool at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex will open to the public on or about Aug. 4.
But be prepared to book a time to swim; there will be no drop-ins. And be prepared for waiting lists as well, as there will be smaller and fewer classes.
Physical distancing requirements will reduce capacity of the pool from 275 to 43 and programs can only operate one at a time.
Still, “swimming is the second-most popular activity for children aged five to 12. And there’s a rationale to open pools during the heat,” Pat Newson, managing director of community services, told council at its June 29 meeting.
Newson presented a report to council seeking direction on when and if to open the pool.
Staff has been preparing a re-opening plan and programming schedule ever since stage two of reopening was announced by the province on June 8.
The stage two framework included indoor pools.
Newson said with the pools shut down, staff have been getting a jump on some maintenance work on the leisure pool and intended to drain the main pool and repair the tile in the coming weeks.
Newson said those repairs can be put off for another year or two if council wanted the pool to open.
She presented three options to council :
– open Aug. 4 with many restrictions;
open Oct. 1 with fewer restrictions; or
– remain closed until there’s a vaccine for COVID-19 and no restrictions would be required at the pool.
She said staff can safely get the facility ready by either date. The main question is money.
With the pool open, labour costs will increase and there will be extra costs for cleaning, signage and floor markings, training and informing the public on programs and registration information. Operating costs should remain as budgeted.
With such a severe decrease in capacity, revenue will drop.
Newson calculated an Aug. 4 opening will cost the township $145,500, while opening Oct. 1 will cost $94,600.
“I’ve heard a lot of locals complain they can’t swim anywhere,” said councillor Neil Dunsmore.
“The Shand Dam is packed, and the (Elora) Quarry is closed for the season. I’m leaning toward August.”
Councillor Steven Van Leeuwen said, “The community is ready for a return to normalcy. This will be good for their physical health and their mental health.”
Councillor Bob Foster stated, “This is an operational decision and should not come to council. We’re going to lose a fortune here.”
Foster abstained from the vote, which counts as a no.
All other councillors voted in favour of opening the pool on Aug. 4.
