The outdoor pool at the Arnold Recreation Center will be open for business Monday (June 8), with some restrictions.
Because of COVID-19 pandemic, the pool, 1695 Missouri State Road, will operate under different rules than usual, and with fewer people allowed in the pool at one time than in the past.
Also, reservations to use the pool must be made in advance, either online by going to a link on the city’s website (arnoldmo.org) or by calling 636-282-6644.
“I’m happy that we are able to offer what we are offering,” City Administrator Bryan Richison said. “I know some people may be frustrated by it and the limitation, but when the discussion first started, I didn’t see how it would work.
“I’m very comfortable with the plan (the Parks and Recreation Department staff) came up with. They put a lot of time and effort into it. It went through a lot of versions. They really thought about all the angles, as much as they could. I’m glad we were able to find a way to offer the amenity to the public as safely as possible.”
Designated spots on the pool deck may be reserved for a three-hour period, either from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2-5 p.m. Two types of reservations are available – those for a spot for one to two people or those for a spot for parties of three to six people. Customers who reserve spots for a party of two, or a party of three to six must enter the pool at the same time.
There will be 18 spots for one to two people, and 21 spots for parties of three to six people. The maximum number of people to be admitted into the pool at one time is 162, which is about a third of the pool’s normal capacity, Parks and Recreation Department supervisor Pat AuBuchon said.
It will cost $6 per person, and payment is due when a spot is reserved. Admission is free for children 4 years old or younger.
Refunds will not be given after payment is accepted, even if weather forces the pool to close.
“You take a risk if you book out two weeks in advance,” AuBuchon said. “I think people will wait until the morning of to book reservations. You don’t want to lose out on money. It will be tough for us to gauge how many people are expected to be here each day, until that morning.”
AuBuchon said customers may reserve as many of the spots as they want to per day, and reservations may be made as far out as the pool’s final operating day for the season, which is Labor Day, Sept 7.
Online reservations may be made at any time. Phone reservations may be made from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The reservation system went active at 10 a.m. today (June 5).
Only those who are at least 18 years old may make a reservation, and anyone 13 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult at the pool.
Swimmers will be required to stay 6 feet apart from each other at all times. Everyone will be asked to wash their hands before entering the pool area and cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. The city asks people to stay home if they feel sick. The city said violations of pool guidelines could result in the party being asked to leave.
AuBuchon said swimmers will not be required to wear masks. However, most employees will wear masks.
He said lifeguards will not be required to wear masks while they are on a lifeguard stand because of the heat. However, lifeguards will have masks available to put on during interactions with swimmers, as long as the mask does not interfere with the duty the lifeguard is performing at the time.
“Safety was the No. 1 concern, and we didn’t want to open if we didn’t feel we had a good enough plan in place to keep the public safe,” AuBuchon said. “We went to the drawing board a couple of times and made a lot of changes throughout the process to put a plan in place that we think is suitable.”
AuBuchon said there will be a maximum of four employees who will either work at the concession stand or check people into the pool. He said there will be six lifeguards on duty while the pool is open.
No outside food or drink will be allowed in the pool area. The concession stand will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.
Richison said the city will continue to look at how it operates the outdoor pool throughout the summer. He said depending on what happens after Gov. Mike Parson’s first phase of the “Show Me Strong Recovery” plan ends, the city could adjust its pool rules.
The first phase of the state’s recovery plan is expected to expire June 15, and a second phase with new guidelines is expected to be announced.
“Right now, based on the rules in place, we feel this is the best plan for everybody,” Richison said.
Rec center memberships do not cover the $6 outdoor pool admission. The city is deferring rec center membership fees at this time since the facility, which houses an indoor pool, track, workout area and other amenities, has been closed since March 18.
AuBuchon said the city stopped charging members a monthly fee in April, and the department is still calculating a formula for how to handle the lost days in March and for year-long members.
“We don’t have a formula in place, yet,” AuBuchon said.