The public pool opened Oct. 5 after being closed for about seven months. Swims are open by reservation only and other pandemic mitigation efforts are in place.
Newly hired pool manager Amanda Painter said reservations are intended to help limit pool capacity to around 20 people.
“I’d rather people call in and know they can use the pool rather than show up and have to be turned away because we’ve reached twenty people,” Painter said.
Other mitigation efforts include mandatory face coverings worn in the lobby, social distancing, limited occupation of lap lanes and other barriers between staff and pool users. The Haines Dolphin Swim team swimmers will conduct temperature checks before each practice as well as pool staff.
“Lap lanes are limited to one person or they can share if they’re in the same household,” Painter said.
Pool staff will not be required to wear masks due to the pool’s ventilation system, but they will wear masks when entering spaces outside the office.
“The ventilation system is old,” Painter said. “Maintenance team is looking into ways to remedy that with industrial fans to move the air off the pool deck and up into the vent stream.”
Swimmers can call 766-2666 to reserve a 30-, 45- or 60-minute session. Aqua-aerobics, scheduled Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. does not require a reservation, and will be open to drop-ins.
“Locker rooms will be open and showers required,” a Friends of the Pool statement said. “It’s important to shower regardless of temperature to keep water chemistry effective in killing bacteria and viruses. The pool is unfortunately not able to regulate pool shower temperatures.”
All swim passes will be reactivated.
The pandemic, budget cuts and extended repairs led to spring and summer closures, with the pool closed since March. At the time of the closure, the pool was drained to save costs and allow for repairs. In June, the Haines Borough Assembly passed a budget including a cost-saving measure closing the facility until September and temporarily laying off staff. In August, former pool manager RaeAnn Miner stepped down causing further delays.