For many, the transition from Spring to Summer includes heading to the swimming pool in search of relief from the rising heat levels. Despite many public-facing facilities being slated to reopen this month, public pools statewide will not be welcoming their usual crowds for the 2020 season.
Under the current Kentucky Department of Public Health’s guidelines, the reopening of swimming pools and recreational facilities will not be allowed.
In a statement released today, the City of Berea announced that city officials made the decision to close the Berea Swimming Pool for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. City officials cite “significant lead time required to start-up, maintain, and operate the facility” as the prominent factor in choosing to shutter their public pool this year. The statement indicates that the city of Berea is hopeful to resume normal operations in 2021.
The City of Richmond has created a gradual reopening plan that will provide the safety of city workers while beginning to offer services to the public while adhering to Governor Beshear’s guidelines for reopening businesses. Parks Grounds, the Road Department, Vehicle Maintenance, and Recycling will report back to work on Monday, May 11. The Recycling Department will resume curbside pickup on Monday, May 18. City Hall, the Parks and Recreation Office, and the Section 8 Office are required to operate at no more than 50% of staffing levels prior to the outbreak. These offices will remain closed to the public but will be re-evaluated in the future.
Paradise Cove, the Richmond Teen Center, and summer camps are canceled for the 2020 season. The opening of Adventure Falls and all youth sports leagues are delayed at this time and could start at a later date as the City monitors the number of positive cases and the State provides updated guidelines. Plexiglass shields will be installed in areas where there is public interaction moving forward. All employees will be provided masks and other PPE as required and will practice safe social distancing at all times.
More information on other services will be provided to the public as it becomes available.
