Word the Township of 91原创 won鈥檛 considering reopening indoor pools until the last three months of the year came as a blow to a local swim club.

Kristi McIntosh, a parent and volunteer with the 91原创 Olympians Swim Club (LOSC), called the decision 鈥渞eally disappointing.鈥�

An unsigned update posted to the Township of 91原创鈥檚 鈥淐OVID-19 Response and Restart鈥� web page on July 14 said the municipality is 鈥渃urrently evaluating the feasibility of reopening recreation centers in the fourth quarter of 2020.鈥�

Among the many issues cited by the posting in defence of the delay were costs, potential legal liability and the potential difficulty of enforcing social distancing.

READ ALSO: Al Anderson pool in 91原创 City to re-open June 29

As for complaints that other municipalities are reopening facilities faster than the Township, the post said it was 鈥渦nderstandable that people will make comparisons, however the Township鈥檚 reopening pace has been comparable to other municipalities with similar amenities, while incorporating some decisions we feel are best for OUR community.鈥�

In her June 29 presentation to council McIntosh urged reopening, describing how members of the 91原创 Olympians are resorting to desperate measures to try and maintain conditioning, with one athlete swimming in a three-foot-deep pool while tethered to a fence, while other members of the club were working out in their garages, or swimming in lakes and swim spas.

In March, the swimmers lost their practice places at the Walnut Grove and W.C. Blair indoor pools, when they were ordered closed as part of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Now that those conditions are being eased, some Metro Vancouver pools are reopening, and 91原创 Township should follow suit, McIntosh urged.

Since her appearance at Township council, the club has been able to get practice times at the Al Anderson pool in which has reopened in 91原创 City, but only for an hour, three times a week for advanced swimmers.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very thankful to Al Anderson, because they didn鈥檛 have to do it,鈥� McIntosh told the 91原创 Advance Times.

However just three hours a week is not 鈥渘ot ideal,鈥� McIntosh noted, and LOSC swimmers are being encouraged to get workouts in during public swims.

For the more than 260 five- to 19-year-old swimmers in the club, plus masters-level competitors, the enforced idleness has been hard, she said.

READ ALSO: Teens sneak into Aldergrove pool for illicit swim

McIntosh finds the Township position 鈥渧ery frustrating鈥� since Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry 鈥渟eems to think pools are great.鈥�

In early June, Henry told a briefing that 鈥渨e鈥檝e learned that this virus doesn鈥檛 transmit in, especially, chlorinated or ozonated water or salt water.鈥�

However, measures will still need to be in place to reduce the number of people going to a pool, Henry added.

鈥淭he risk of course is people coming together around the pool or in the locker room, so there will need to be measures in place to reduce numbers to make sure that we鈥檙e not having close contact with people.鈥�

At Al Anderson, there are a , including limits on the numbers of swimmers.

While showers will be available on the pool deck patrons are being asked to shower at home before, and after, swimming since access to the change rooms is limited to a one-way flow to encourage physical distancing.

鈥淏ased on the information provided by our local health authorities, there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus can spread through the water at pools, hot tubs, or spray parks, and proper disinfection of these aquatic venues should inactivate the virus,鈥� explained Karlo Tamondong, City recreation supervisor.

dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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