Western New York is ready to make a splash as we enter into Phase 3 of reopening. Some areas like Tonawanda and Amherst are gearing up to open their public swimming areas. Before you lather up the sunscreen there are a few protocols you should be aware of.
What You Need To Know
- Tonawanda and Amherst are opening up swimming locations
- There are blocks of swim times for children, adults and recreation
- The pool decks and amenities will be sanitized throughout the day
The Towns of Tonawanda and Amherst are ready to open up their pools as early as the end of June.
"We're trying to get as close to normal as possible during this COVID crisis," William Conrad said, a councilman for the Town of Tonawanda.
In Tonawanda, the Lincoln Park pool will be the only one that will open. Officials in Tonawanda say they will be offering particular swim hours and in between each scheduled swim period they will sanitize the deck.
"Our 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. block will be swim lessons, during lunch break we will clean and sanitize, reopen from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for recreational swim, and family adult swim in the evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.,” Conrad added.
In the Town of Amherst, two locations are opening on July 6: the Clearfield Community Center and North Forest Pool. The two locations will be open but on alternating days. Capacity for these locations have not yet been fully determined by the state, but as of now, original capacity is being cut in half.
"Right now we're at crowds of 25 people or less, but we are also having to social distance and wear masks," said Brian Kulpa, the supervisor for the Town of Amherst.
While sanitation will be performed throughout the times these locations are open, officials want to remind the public not to worry about any extra chemicals in the water.
"We're not too worried about the water itself, the chlorine kills off the virus but outside the pool, the deck and amenities, that's where we could run into problems so that area is going to be cleaned more frequently," Kulpa added.