Crane Pool Will Not Open This Summer
Improvements, Work To Continue With 2021 Season In Mind
May 20, 2020
Isaac Estes-Jones
The Crane City Pool will not open this weekend as orginally planned. The difficult decision was made by city officials in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this is not the end of the pool. The city plans to use this time to continue to make updates and improvements to the facility so next season can be better than ever.
"Due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the City of Crane, after much discussion and deliberation, has made the difficult decision to not open the Crane municipal pool for summer 2020,” the city announced in a Facebook post. The city said costs required to follow guidelines and ability to maintain social distancing all played a role in making the decision.
“The good news is that planned updates and renovations will continue through the summer. We look forward to welcoming swimmers back in summer 2021,” the city said in the post.
According to the Stone County Health Department, “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.” However, the health department says enforcing social distancing and keeping surfaces disinfected are important steps to help slow the spread of the disease.
During the regular meeting of the board of aldermen on Monday, May 18, Alderman Doug Minton said, “I think if we use the time to improve [the pool], it will be worth it and people will appreciate it.”
Board members and Mayor Brannan spent some time during the meeting to discuss some of the repairs and improvements needed at the pool facility.
There are already plans in motion with regard to the roof of the building.
Additionally, board members discussed repairs the facility desperately needs. “Both bathrooms need new partitions, something made of a plastic that won’t rust and degrade,” said Alderman Kyle Bentley. Also in the bathrooms, there are a few toilets that need to be repaired or replaced and some sinks do not drain adequately. The board is hopeful to use this time to make these repairs.
“We have a room we aren’t really using right now, too,” said Mayor Brannan. “We might think of some alternative layouts. We don’t want to get rid of the concession stand, but maybe we can make some changes that will work for everyone.”
As of this writing, the playground equipment at the city park is also closed. Board members agreed that following the county’s guidance on reopening those facilities is a good idea.
The Crane City Pool will not open this weekend as orginally planned. The difficult decision was made by city officials in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this is not the end of the pool. The city plans to use this time to continue to make updates and improvements to the facility so next season can be better than ever.
"Due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the City of Crane, after much discussion and deliberation, has made the difficult decision to not open the Crane municipal pool for summer 2020,” the city announced in a Facebook post. The city said costs required to follow guidelines and ability to maintain social distancing all played a role in making the decision.
“The good news is that planned updates and renovations will continue through the summer. We look forward to welcoming swimmers back in summer 2021,” the city said in the post.
According to the Stone County Health Department, “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.” However, the health department says enforcing social distancing and keeping surfaces disinfected are important steps to help slow the spread of the disease.
During the regular meeting of the board of aldermen on Monday, May 18, Alderman Doug Minton said, “I think if we use the time to improve [the pool], it will be worth it and people will appreciate it.”
Board members and Mayor Brannan spent some time during the meeting to discuss some of the repairs and improvements needed at the pool facility.
There are already plans in motion with regard to the roof of the building.
Additionally, board members discussed repairs the facility desperately needs. “Both bathrooms need new partitions, something made of a plastic that won’t rust and degrade,” said Alderman Kyle Bentley. Also in the bathrooms, there are a few toilets that need to be repaired or replaced and some sinks do not drain adequately. The board is hopeful to use this time to make these repairs.
“We have a room we aren’t really using right now, too,” said Mayor Brannan. “We might think of some alternative layouts. We don’t want to get rid of the concession stand, but maybe we can make some changes that will work for everyone.”
As of this writing, the playground equipment at the city park is also closed. Board members agreed that following the county’s guidance on reopening those facilities is a good idea.