Tisdale's Aquatic Centre (Top) and The Pool at Central Park in Nipawin (Bottom) are boths et to open soon as part of Phase 4.1 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. (Submitted Photo/Town of Tisdale & File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Dive In

Local pools set to re-open within a week

Jun 23, 2020 | 5:01 PM

As of Monday, June 22, outdoor pools were one of the facilities that were permitted to open as part of phase 4.1 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.

Locally, Tisdale’s aquatic centre at the RECplex will open up on Friday, June 26, while the pool at Central Park in Nipawin will reopen on Monday, June 29.

Tisdale

Tisdale’s Chief Administrative Officer Brad Hvidston said with the province allowing outdoor pools to open, they figured that it would be right for them to open up.

“It was relatively short notice,” Hvidston told northeastNOW. “So, we’ve been scrambling to get it open as quickly as we possibly can, which as it turns out we feel will be Friday.”

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Hvidston said with it being short notice, they needed more time to get the pool ready for the public to be able to enjoy it. He said they needed to fill, heat, and get the chemicals right in the pool, as well as call back their staff.

While the pool will be open to the public, Hvidston said it will be very different.

“We are going to be limited to the number of kids that can be in the pool at any one time,” he said. “So, during our public swim times, you might show up and have to wait in line or be turned away, which we’re hoping not to have to do.”

The pool will also be following COVID-19 protocols to make sure everyone is safe. Measures such as sanitizing high touch surfaces and having sanitation stations set up will help. Hvidston said they might need to have a few more staff on at one time to make sure protocols are being followed, but he said they feel there is enough staff at this point.

Another big change for the pool will be swimming lessons. Hvidston said some surrounding pools have cancelled lessons for the year, leaving many kids without that opportunity. He said for now, those in the RM of Tisdale and Town of Tisdale will have first priority to register for swimming lessons at the pool, before it is opened to the rest of the area. Only four swimmers will be allowed in one lesson and Hvidston said they will only be allowed 16 swimmers in the pool at one time during lessons, which is less than half of what can normally be in the pool.

Registration opened on Tuesday, June 23 for swimming lessons.

Nipawin

In Nipawin, town council agreed on Monday, June 22 to open their pool to the public in one week’s time.

Director of Parks and Recreation Chelsea Corrigan said there are still a few things that need to get done to make sure the pool can open. Signage needs to be made, staff needs to be trained, and the town still needs to get a public health license to run the facility as well, which is essentially approval from public health about their precautions.

Corrigan said it will be a group effort for everyone to enjoy the pool this year.

“We will ask that patrons assist us and are patient in the process of opening the pool,” she said.

As with many facilities re-opening in Saskatchewan, guidelines are in place to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The pool in Nipawin will have high touch surfaces disinfected regularly including the diving board, slides, and water toys. Lifeguards will also have to maintain social distance, and only 100 people will be allowed in the facility, only 60 of those can be in the pool at once.

“I think our lifeguards are very qualified, and they know the pool in and out,” Corrigan told northeastNOW. “So, we will be adjusting some of our practices, but they’ll be caught right up this weekend and we will be good to go.”

Another rule imposed this year is that individuals under 15 years of age are required to have a parent or guardian with them to help adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Swimming lessons will take place in Nipawin at the pool this year, but much differently than normal. Corrigan said they will go to 7-day lessons, every morning for one set. The pre-school to level four lessons will be parent led with instructors staying on the deck.

The hot tub will also not be available.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6