Coulby and Jindra Pools to close for 2020 season

The Wickliffe mayor and City Council members have decided to keep Coulby Pool closed for the duration of the 2020 summer as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The decision to restrict or heavily modify pool access has been seen in neighboring communities like Mentor, which will close Garfield and Morton pools while installing social distancing protocols in their remaining pool at Mentor Civic Center.

The closure of Coulby Pool has come after the city’s other one, Jindra Pool, was closed due to financial concerns. Jindra’s closure was to save the city $26,000, according to Mayor John Barbish at the time. The closure was also done in part to focus repair efforts more effectively on Coulby Pool.

Jindra’s closure was not without contention amongst Council, some of whom voiced concerns from residents that it was uniquely suited to cater to the senior community with an ease of access that Coulby lacked. With both pools now closed for larger concerns, the discrepancy has proven moot.

“The health and safety of our staff and our community coupled with the stringent COVID-19 virus guidelines from the state

and accompanying economic factors drove this decision,” read a statement issued from the City.

The statement also indicated that Wickliffe intends for both Jindra Pool and the aquatic center at Coulby Park to reopen in 2021.

When asked, Mayor John Barbish also specified that the work needed at Coulby was primarily focused on concrete and heater repairs.

He went on to speculate that “the splash park might open, but that also might be limited to the day camp kids.”