AQUATIC FACILITIES opening cautiously.

BENTONVILLE — Visitors to the Bentonville Community Center had a chance Saturday to enjoy the leisure pool as recreational aquatics amenities begin to slowly open in the region.

The Arkansas Department of Health approved the Friday opening of all types of recreational pools, seasonal outdoor pools, indoor pools, municipal and community pools, splash pads, aquatic centers and commercial water parks, according to a directive by the department.

The Bentonville Community Center is the only Northwest Arkansas municipal facility offering recreational swimming at this time. Staff said 54 people signed up to use the facility’s leisure pool on its first day of operations Saturday.

“We will allow 50 people at a time to go swimming,” said David Wright, Bentonville Parks and Recreation director, adding the pool’s normal capacity is 130 people.

Several area recreational water amenities aren’t anticipated to open until June, according to regional parks and recreation representatives, while others have no confirmed opening dates at this time.

“The Rogers Aquatics Center is unique in the fact that it is similar to a private water park,” said Hanna Lairy, Rogers public relations manager.

The center doesn’t have an opening date at this time, Lairy said, explaining the facility has to consider factors that include lifeguard staffing and certification, consistent sanitation of the facility, implementing and enforcing social distancing practices and the financial impact of running the facility at half capacity through the summer.

Northwest Arkansas municipalities are working toward the opening of many recreational water amenities, staff say, but none have any immediate plans to open splash parks or pads.

“There is some conflicting information coming out of the CDC and the National Recreation and Parks Association that is telling us that we should not be opening splash parks,” Wright said.

There’s no evidence covid-19 can spread through water used in pools, hot tubs or water playgrounds, according to the CDC website.

“The middle of a swimming pool is probably the safest place any of us can be, because the chlorinated water

kills the virus upon impact,” Wright said. “In a splash pad, you’re never fully submersed in water.”

Regular operation, maintenance and disinfection should kill the virus, yet the National Recreation and Parks Association says people shouldn’t use splash parks at this time because they’re often crowded, can be challenging to keep clean and disinfected and the virus can spread when contaminated equipment is touched.

“We’re still evaluating everything the governor is saying and trying to make the best-possible decisions for the safety of our community,” said Lee Farmer, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation director. “These are trying times.”

Fayetteville’s Wilson Park pool and Walker Park splash pad remain closed until further notice, he said.

Mike and Amber D’Angelo were among the first to arrive

Saturday at the Bentonville Community Center to use the leisure pool. The Bentonville couple brought their sons, Cooper, 10, and Griffin, 8, so they could remain active and swim as a family.

Mike D’Angelo said he feels safe swimming at the facility and wouldn’t have brought his family if he didn’t.

“We get that some aren’t,” he said of feeling safe. “That’s their prerogative.”

Wright said he’s looking forward to seeing people using park amenities once again.

“I’m cautious at the same time and understand the responsibility that we have to help control the spread of the virus,” he said. “I think that people I work with understand the responsibility that we have to keep people as safe as we possibly can from what’s in our control.”