The pool at the Timbers of Eureka Recreation Center will not be open this summer.
Eureka Mayor Sean Flower said one of the reasons the pool will remain closed this season is because of the St. Louis County social-distancing guidelines in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Our concern is that the requirements are so difficult,” Flower said. “You have to have another person on staff who’s not a lifeguard there the whole time to enforce the social-distancing requirements.”
According to St. Louis County Public Water Recreation Facilities Rules and Regulations, public pools have to reduce the number of swimmers that typically would be allowed at the facility by 25 percent. Also, all swimmers and people hanging out at a pool must keep at least 6 feet apart. In addition, no groups of more than six would be allowed to enter the pool.
The guidelines also call for health screenings before anyone enters a pool facility. Staff and patrons also must wear face masks except when in the water or when eating, the guidelines say, and if a face covering gets wet, it must be changed.
The guidelines also advise against the use of pool floats and other items commonly used in pools, like goggles.
“Basically, we're just allowed to go to the pool, sit in the chair or stand in the water,” Flower said. “We don't think attendance will be very good at our pool and it would be extremely expensive.”
Flower said the city normally pays a pool management company about $120,000 per season to provide lifeguards, clean the pool and more.
The St. Louis County guidelines for pool use during the pandemic may be found at stlcorona.com.
