Pool open, following COVID-19 guidelines

Friday, June 19, 2020

The Blytheville City Pool at Walker Park opened last week with some new guidelines set in place because of COVID-19.

Parks and Activities director Cody Wyatt said, “We open every Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is only $2 per swimmer and of course with this new virus we have some new rules implemented.”

Some of the regulations implemented by the Arkansas Department of Health include reducing the number of people allowed at the pool by 50 percent, keeping a log of people that enter the pool, and placing signs at all entrances with the CDC’s recommendations.

Wyatt said, “Our maximum capacity is 112 swimmers at a time. When you come to the gate we will take your name and a contact number for you in case any outbreak was to occur. We are keeping everything clean, our life guards are wearing gloves and masks when they take money. We ask that if you do not live in the same household that you stay six feet apart.”

Blytheville city pool manager Charles Emberg said, “The state told us to keep everyone six feet apart which is kind of difficult but as of right now we’ve done pretty good. The kids have been listening really well to the rules. We have to disinfect machines every time someone uses it, and whoever is handling money has to wear a mask and gloves to prevent touching the money.”