Lake City Aquatic Center, Rockwell City Pool slated to reopen

Several weeks ago, the City of Lake City made the decision to keep the pool closed for the remainder of the summer season. While Lake City closed its pool, Rockwell City continued to weigh its options.

Thanks to a new proclamation from Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday morning, which allows swimming pools to reopen, the Lake City Aquatic Center and the Rockwell City Pool will open its doors for the warmer months of the year.

In an announcement made by the City of Lake City on Wednesday afternoon, the Lake City Aquatic Center will indeed open for the summer. In a special meeting, held on Thursday evening at City Hall, the City Council of Rockwell City voted to open the pool in a narrow 3-2 decision.

The Rockwell City council addressed the matter over the course of a 36-minute meeting, and revisited the details of opening the pool during their regular meeting, held this past Monday at City Hall.

The opening dates are yet to be determined, due to delivery of pool chemicals and availability of lifeguards and staff. Both city offices will provide more details in due time.

According to Reynolds' latest proclamation, establishments such as swimming pools "may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that the facility takes reasonable measures under the circumstances of each establishment to ensure social distancing of employees and patrons, increased hygiene practices and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with Guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health.”

Despite Reynolds’ proclamation, the Iowa Department of Public Health has yet to provide guidelines for social distancing and public health measures regarding pools statewide.

According to Shelly Schossow of Calhoun County Public Health, once those guidelines are available, they will be provided to both cities. Schossow was on hand to provide feedback for the Rockwell City council at their meeting.

The original date of a possible reopening, examined by the City Council of Lake City at their latest meeting held on June 1, was projected for sometime in early July. Rockwell City’s reopening was originally slated for July 1.

In a previous proclamation, pools were limited to just lap swimming and lessons.