These Johnson County cities vote to keep pools closed this summer because of COVID-19
Johnson County cities can open pools for the summer as early as May 18, according to Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for reopening Kansas amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But some cities say they aren’t ready to dive into the deep end.
On Monday night, both the Prairie Village and Roeland Park city councils decided to keep their cities’ public pools closed this summer. And on Wednesday, an Overland Park committee will consider whether the city should open any of its outdoor pools.
Officials across Johnson County and the region are deciding whether it’s safe to open community centers and pools, many of which draw hundreds of visitors from across the region.
“I think I speak for a lot of people in saying this is a huge blow for families,” Prairie Village Councilwoman Courtney McFadden said at Monday’s meeting. “It is with a heavy heart that we’re discussing this and have to do this. … While it hurts now, we really are just delaying the inevitable if we look to pushing the issue down the road.”
Independence was the first city in the metro area to cancel pool season, closing the city’s Adventure Oasis Water Park this summer. Many other area cities are still debating whether to open pools.
Kansas City will likely decide by the end of the week on whether to open its spray grounds, aquatic centers and public pools, said Doug Schroeder of Kansas City Parks and Recreation. He said officials are contemplating a slow, phased opening at some pools with strict social distancing requirements. But that comes with several challenges that might be too difficult to overcome.
“The pools are really popular in the summer. And you just hate not opening them,” Schroeder said. “But there are a lot of risks we have right now that are really serious.”
Under Kelly’s plan for reopening Kansas, pools are allowed to open during the second of four phases.
Most of Kansas began reopening businesses on Monday, although Johnson and Wyandotte counties extended their stay-at-home orders until May 11.
Johnson County’s board of county commissioners last week agreed to follow the statewide plan for reopening, but beginning one week late. Next Monday, Johnson County will allow some businesses to reopen with restrictions.
The second phase could begin as early as May 18, depending on whether health officials decide the state has met certain criteria, such as falling death rates and new hospital admissions. Gyms, hair salons, theaters, community centers and pools could reopen, with social distancing restrictions. Gatherings of up to 30 people will be permitted.
Under the state’s plan, gatherings could grow to up to 90 people no earlier than June 1. Limits on group size would disappear no earlier than June 15.
But even if the state allows pools to open in a couple of weeks, municipalities have the authority to issue stricter rules. And worried about the spread of COVID-19, many cities across Johnson County are already adopting more stringent policies.
Chlorinated pools are safe as long as they are properly disinfected and hygiene protocols are followed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On its website, the CDC says that there is “no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools, hot tubs or spas, or water playgrounds.”
But in Prairie Village, officials worried that disinfecting surfaces, keeping crowds of people separated and preventing children from spreading the virus would be too difficult.
With the state capping gatherings at 30 people during this reopening phase, it would be difficult for the pool to allow visitors because roughly 30 employees work there, said Megan Buum, assistant city administrator. And she was concerned about requiring pool staff — many of whom are minors — to enforce social distancing requirements.
The City Council voted 10-2 to keep the pool complex, at 7711 Delmar St., closed. Council members Tucker Poling and Sheila Myers voted against it.
“The logistical concerns are all valid and they may prove to be insurmountable,” Poling said. “But at this point, I’m not ready to close the door on the whole season tonight. I want to leave the door open to best case scenarios.”
In Roeland Park, the City Council voted unanimously to close the aquatic center, at 4843 Rosewood Drive, and cancel this summer’s pool season.
“The current guidelines would make it difficult, or impossible, to follow safety recommendations while operating the Roeland Park Aquatic Center,” officials said in a statement. “The good news is that planned improvement projects will continue. We are already excited to welcome swimmers back to the remodeled (aquatic center) in summer 2021.”
In Lenexa, officials are preparing to open only one of the city’s three outdoor pools this summer. Officials chose to open the Indian Trails Aquatic Center, in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park at 87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road, because it is the largest and most centrally located facility. It would be open in addition to the Lenexa Rec Center’s indoor pool, according to a news release.
Officials said that operating a public pool during the coronavirus outbreak has led to several concerns, including “whether pool use will decline, extra safety and sanitation measures, staffing level adequacy, supply chain issues and the extensive staff labor required to prepare pools while maintaining social distancing.”
Merriam officials have postponed the opening of the city’s new community center until further notice. The $36 million center is located across Ikea Way, east of Merriam City Hall and the police department. It includes indoor and outdoor aquatic centers with slides, a lazy river and therapy pool.
The center was supposed to open to the public on June 8, but there have been construction delays due to the COVID-19 shutdowns, officials said.
“Manufacture shutdowns have prevented the delivery of critical equipment that is required to complete and open the building. This will delay the completion of construction by approximately three weeks,” officials said in an announcement.
Meanwhile, the Johnson County Swim and Dive League has already canceled its 2020 season.
This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 10:24 AM.
