Pool open with cleaning after worker tests positive
4th Street pool employee was not at facility for past week
LANSDALE » The borough posted a notice Saturday on its Facebook page and website that an employee of the Fourth Street Pool tested positive for COVID-19. The employee had not been at the facility since July 13, the notice said.
“In addition to the daily cleaning routine that takes place every two hours at the facility, the borough has decided to undergo a thorough sanitation of the facility. To give workers enough time to do the cleaning, we will be opening the facility at 2 p.m.,” the Saturday morning notice stated.
White’s Road Pool remained open. “However, the capacity will remain at 400 per our pool reopening plan,” the notice stated.
“This report reminds us that COVID-19 remains in our community and why following safety protocols is so important. Please continue to wear masks where required and to mind social distancing markings when at both borough pool facilities. We will continue to sanitize both facilities and take measures to assure the safety of all our members,” the notice stated.
The borough pools opened July 1 for an abbreviated season with attendance and clean
ing protocols in place. The rules include limits on the numbers who can attend at once, requirements to wear masks and maintain distancing, and mandates that all registrations must be done online instead of in person, that members bring their own chairs and/or pool toys, and that registration be limited to only borough residents and past nonresident members.
Since the arrival of COVID-19, staff and borough council held lengthy talks on whether, when, and how to reopen the town’s two pools at Fourth Street and Whites Road parks. In mid-June council voted to open both as of July 1.
Parks and Recreation Director Karl Lukens reported to council on July 8 that all went well on opening day and that roughly 830 individuals had signed up for memberships.
After the first week of the pools being opened, staff reviewed usage and the borough began offering a limited number of memberships to nonresidents. Those wishing to sign up for a nonresident membership must do so through the borough website.
As of Sunday afternoon, no further notices were posted by the borough, and both pools remained open, as a heat advisory remains in effect through Tuesday with temperatures forecast in the upper 90s.