Two Colorado Springs pools open Friday with new capacity and cleaning protocols
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Wilson Ranch and Monument Valley pools are scheduled to open Friday, June 26, with capacity limitations and new cleaning measures aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
The two pools will be open for both lap swim and public swim Friday. According to the city, capacity will be capped on a first-come, first-serve basis at 50 people.
Visitors will get an hour and a half at the pool. Then the pool will close for 30 minutes while staff cleans and disinfects before the next time slot opens.
Stephanie Dixon is the executive director of the YMCA, which manages the two pools opening Friday. She advises to get there early and get a spot in line. Dixon also explained to KRDO what the 30 minutes of cleaning entails.
"The lifeguards will go in and clean every touch point that was used," Dixon said. "From furniture to handrails to door knobs in the bathroom, inside the building, as well as inside the pool deck."
Additional cleaning isn't the only precaution the city is taking to prevent COVID-19.
"During this time, slides and diving boards will not be accessible because, again, those are very high-touch areas," Dixon said. "Locker rooms are open for folks to come in and rinse off before they enter the pool, but not for the traditional use we've seen in the past."
Some city cooling spots have already opened in Colorado Springs. The Deerfield Hills Sprayground at Deerfield Hills Park opened June 19. The Water Hole at Venezia Park will opened June 24.
Sharona Palacios was enjoying the sprayground with her family Thursday. Seeing the staff clean equipment eased her nerves, but she doesn't think she'll be taking the kids to the pool any time soon.
"I'm not sure why I feel comfortable bringing them over the the splash pad versus the pool, but I kind of just feel like everybody just sitting in the same thing of water and kids spitting up the water and germs everywhere is weird," Palacios said.
You can view the current capacity at either Monument Valley or Wilson Ranch as well as hours of operation here.
The city hopes to have the Uncle Wilber Fountain at Acacia Park operating by July 4.
