The hot days of June have many seeking ways to cool off.
The Fort Scott Aquatic Center is one option for cooling off.
However, because of the COVID 19 Pandemic, it has remained closed until staff worked on a plan to be able to open safely.
The center will open on June 22, Chasity Ware, the manager, said.
“With many days of the uncertainty of the COVID 19, a lot of research went into making a final decision to plan to open the facility, ” she said. “Once I had the facts of what we were capable of doing with restrictions placed upon us and then shared with the (Fort Scott) City Commissioners, their faith in me and my team of employees were given the go-ahead to open. Due to the many behind the scene hours to prepare the opening of the pool along with lifeguard training that had to be completed, we needed a little time. We also chose to wait until the phase-out plan per Gov. Kelly to help with even fewer restrictions.”
Precautions are in place
“The modifications will include but not limited to:
- some masks being worn,
- extra cleaning being provided,
- no lounge chairs issued this season (we ask patrons to bring in their own chairs),
- no 3 pm or 5 pm break will be provided,
- and only pre-packaged foods will be served out of the concession stands.
We will initially limit our patrons to 250 each day for the first few weeks to help with gatherings as well.”
“Also NO pool passes will be sold,” she said. ” We can’t guarantee our season and know so much has already been missed we just didn’t feel the passes were going to be effective. If we were to close, we can’t imagine the nightmare for the refund/credit.”
“NO ONE will be allowed to come in and sit to watch anyone swim without paying,” Ware said. “We have to count them as part of the capacity number.
And one last thing, NO FLOATATION DEVICES of any sort. No padded suits, no arm wings, no life jackets.”
“There will be NO SWIM LESSONS, she said.
“We want to remind everyone to please pay attention to their symptoms and their children’s,” Ware said. “Please don’t attend the pool if you are sick, running a fever or overall not feeling well. Help keep others safe.”
Daily rates
Daily admission rates will apply: 3-14 years old-are $2, 15-62 years old- $3 and 63 years old and older- $2.
The center currently has 29 employees between lifeguards, office/concession personnel and managers.
“This number could change as the future moves forwards,” Ware said.
Pool hours, close date
Pool hours are 1 pm-7 pm Monday through Saturday and 1 pm-6 pm on Sundays.
The date to close will be no later than August 9 due to college lifeguards returning to college the first weekend of August and school for Fort Scott USD #234 is anticipated to start Aug. 12, she said.
“This could change as well as we move forward.,” Ware said. “We pray we have no outbreaks or other issues but are prepared to make decisions as needed. “
NO private pool parties
“We are sorry to say at this time there will not be private pool parties available this pool season,” Ware said. “We need the extra time to clean the facility. “
The center’s phone number is 620-223-8142.
Ware is the Fort Scott Aquatic Center Manager, in her 9th season. She was employed by Mound City Pool seven years prior to joining Fort Scott.
She is a Certified Lifeguard Instructor.
“I certify lifeguards for the Fort Scott Aquatic Center, Nevada, Iola, Pleasanton, and LaCygne pools. I have been doing that for six seasons now,” she said.