We truly appreciate your patience and input as we took the time to work through the many issues created by COVID-19. Please know that through all of this, our members are our first priority—with regard to safety, enjoyment, fairness, maintaining the financial security of the pool, you name it. We believe that West Side is a very special place that brings together amazing people.
With that said West Side will be opening this summer with a target opening date of June 13. We all know there are many nuances that need to be addressed this year due to COVID-19 and the federal, state and county guidelines we must follow. We’ve outlined many of them below, with the understanding that things change daily and new issues will arise over the course of the summer. As we’ve all learned over the last three months, flexibility, understanding and patience are key.
We have to make changes to create a safe atmosphere that will take some getting used to. Here are the things that we won’t have at the pool this year.
- As much as it saddens us to say, West Side will not offer lessons, swim team, dive team, water ballet, parties, nighttime events (adult night, youth night) or slackline this summer.
- In an effort to remove as many touchable surfaces as possible, the deck will look quite different (and more spacious) because we will have a “bring your own chair” policy. Along those lines, there won’t be any shareable toys in the kiddie pool or extras like the community goggle bin.
- It’s likely we won’t have a snack shack.
- There will be a maximum number of people allowed on the premises, as dictated by the phase of the Forward Dane Plan we are in at that time. We are working on a sign-up system that will allow you to reserve a block of time at the pool. More details to follow.
- Everyone will be required to sign a waiver that relates to risks presented by COVID-19.
As for things that we will continue to have, but will look different:
- We can have people! However, all persons not from the same household must be socially distanced (6 ft. apart) at all times, both in and out of the water. We ask that you wear a mask while you are entering and exiting the facility, as well as when you are on deck. Masks will NOT be allowed in the water at any time.
- Water aerobics with social distancing.
- Lap swim with one swimmer per lane (more allowed if you are in the same household).
- Cleaning! Jon Spencer has always run a tight ship, but it’s going to get even tighter this year. You’ll see our talented staff working hard to make the pool as safe as it possibly can be.
We know that this might sound disheartening, but hopefully opening the pool is a small ray of sunshine given all of the cancellations that we have experienced recently. We are fully aware that the realities of COVID-19 are altering what a West Side membership includes this summer. Our Board is committed to finding ways to provide extra benefits to our members when we can. In that vein, we are in the process of finalizing our hours and hope to offer a few extra hours of open swim this year. Additionally, we plan on opening all six lanes during lap swim to accommodate more swimmers.
~West Side Swim Club Board of Directors
