TORRINGTON – Like so many things during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s going to look different – but the Dale Jones Municipal Pool and the Lingle Pool have submitted a plan to State Health Officer Dr. Alexia Harrist to open the respective pools.
Torrington Mayor Randy Adams, Lingle Mayor George Siglin and Goshen County Emergency Management Coordinator Shelly Kirchhefer worked together with public health officials to craft the plan, which would allow for lap swim, water aerobics and private lessons in the morning, and four 90-minute swim sessions in the afternoon, separated by a 30-minute cleaning session.
The opening plan was first reviewed by Goshen County Public Health and Goshen County Health Officer Dr. Marion Smith, and both approved the plan.
Adams said the plan put forth by the two towns actually had more strict regulations than the requirements spelled out by public health officials. It’s too early to advertise an opening date, Adams said.
“A lot will depend on what she has to say,” Adams said of Harrist’s review. “If that goal is difficult to reach, it might take longer to open.”
“We talked about our plan, and asked them to give us advice. Our plan was actually more restrictive than what they had. We presented that. They asked us to modify a few small things.
The mayors elected to synchronize the respective pool opening dates to prevent a surge of people at either location, Siglin said.
“We’re trying to open our pools at the same time,” Siglin said. “If we were to just open the Lingle pool, everyone from Torrington would rush over to use it which would cause problems. If we don’t open ours, everyone from here is going to rush over there and cause problems. We’re already kind of worried about that because the Scottsbluff, Neb., pools are not going to be open.”
The city pool opening plan, which was provided by Adams, spells out exactly what the DJMP will look like when it opens.
The pool would be open for lap swim and water aerobics from 5:30 a.m. until 7 a.m., and private lessons will take place from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. General swim sessions will last 90 minutes and take place in the afternoon at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.
After each general swim session, pool staff would clean the facility.
“Cleaning would consist of Clorox water sprayed on deck, railings, slide, slide steps, foxtures, board, etc. Wiping of counters, railings, door frames, door handles,” the plan said.
There would be signage reminding swimmers the social distancing is expected, and a lines will be painted on the ground outside of the facility to help facilitate this.
Capacity would be capped, but it’s unclear yet if the DJMP will be capped at 42, 60 or 80 swimmers.
“Pools staff will be checked for symptoms at arrival,” the plan said. “All staff and clients will have their temperature checked and will be reminded not to enter the pool if they are symptomatic.”
In addition, the baby pool and candy machines will not be operational. The drink machines will be available, but the plan said “swimmers should bring their own water.”
The plan said clients should show up to the pool dressed to swim, as there will be no locker room or shower facilities available. Restrooms will be available, however.
Budget woes could
In Torrington, there’s another layer to the decision to open the DJMP. The city is estimating major losses in its operating budget due to ramifications from COVID-19 – so much so that the city’s proposed annual operating budget, which will go into effect if it passes its third reading on June 16, is nearly $2 million less than the 2019-2020 budget.
“Just to premise this, with COVID-19 and the economic impact, that affected our general fund and our enterprise fund,” City Clerk-Treasurer Lynette Strecker said. “I am projecting the revenue will be down in 2021 sales tax and optional tax, I’m projecting at 25% lower than last year. Even fuel tax, I project to be 40% down. Other general funds revenues are down about 12%.”
During the Torrington City Council meeting in June, Strecker said she hadn’t included the pool in next year’s budget, and the DJMP would be another $30,000 on the already tight proposed budget.
“We’ve been very ambivalent and gone back and forth about whether or not we’re going to open the pool at all,” Adams said. “It’s a huge issue, and the city of Torrington has some huge budget issues right now. I think we’re getting them conquered, but this is another $30,000 hit on the city.”
According to the proposed pool plan, the city would be looking to operate the pool on a budget.
“Total staff required/allowed will be significantly less than previous years,” the plan said. “All other efforts to reduce costs – no new suits, equipment, etc. other than what is necessary to operate the pool.”
Adams said the city will figure out the financials once the plan is approved by health officials, but maintained that it’s important to provide recreation opportunities for local children.
“We’ll have to work out the details of that,” he said. “They’ll have to restrict it in terms of staff, and restrict it in terms of what they need to buy. It’s going to be tight.
“I just think it’s important that we have recreation for the kids and we have a job for anywhere from a dozen to two dozen kids that need work.”
