Today, the City Council voted to close the municipal swimming pool for the 2020 summer season. “This was not an easy decision” said Mayor Lou Thurston. “My heart says one thing, my head says another. In the end, it doesn’t appear that we can keep the pool open and keep social distancing and the CDC/Kansas Parks & Recreation Association cleaning guidelines to keep pool employees and the public safe. Safety of our children and their families is more important than the risk of opening the pool.” We realize this may not be a popular decision and regret it had to be made. We recognize since the closing of the school session in mid-March, kids have been adhering to shelter in place guidelines to protect their heath. Marci Cain, pool manager and teacher, said “the decision to close schools was made because social distancing was not practical in the school setting. Social distancing is no better in the swimming pool setting.”
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)