Community pool will stay closed for 2020

After extensive deliberation that started in the beginning of this year, the Vermilion Parks and Recreation Board Pool Subcommittee has recommended that the city’s community pool, 4846 Pineview Drive, to not reopen for the 2020 season.

Board member Dennis Brudney said during a May 19 Parks and Recreation meeting that although Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has allowed all communities to open pools starting May 26, the regulations that would need to be in place would not serve residents in their best interest.

The subcommittee had voted 5-2 to not reopen the pool, Brudney said.

The three main concerns presented by the subcommittee included demanding sanitation and social distancing protocols, liability of staff or patrons contracting novel coronavirus and the financial stress and losses associated with opening up the pool.

“The predicted loss of city revenue and loss of income due to potentially lower pool revenue may make covering pool expenses very difficult,” Brudney said. “We don’t believe we will be serving the community well if we are not prudent.

“No solution will please everyone.”

While the subcommittee was first formed to assess the pros and cons of renovating and fixing the decades-old pool for the coming season, COVID-19 made the subcommittee also integrate the safety of residents into the plan, Brudney said.

In addition to studying the state’s new guidelines for community pools, he said the subcommittee spoke to several health departments, pool operators, park directors in other communities and other research to inform its decision.

Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer said in a letter to residents that he approves of the recommendation, and that the necessary sanitation requirements would be difficult to uphold in such a small pool.

“Cleaning, distancing, restricted attendance and advance registrations would compromise the pool experience,” Forthofer said.

Now, the subcommittee’s goal is to assess how to improve the pool for future years and whether this will be viable in the foreseeable future.

PHOTOS BY JORDANA JOY — THE MORNING JOURNAL The Vermilion Community Pool, 4846Pineview Drive in Vermilion, will not open for the season of 2020due to hefty restrictions and protocol in place by the state due to novel coronavirus.