City plans to open its pool, but logistics are still a concern

The City of Columbia Falls plans on opening the Pinewood Park pool this summer, though there will likely be some changes to ensure at least some social distancing at the facility due to coronavirus.

The state recently announced it was going to Phase II on June 1, which allows pools to open, but at a reduced capacity.

City manager Susan Nicosia said the question is whether the pool will be capped at 50 swimmers at a time or 50 percent capacity.

At 50 percent capacity, the pool could accommodate about 113 swimmers. The most it had last summer, on the hottest day, was 83.

But if the capacity is capped at 50 people, then the city might have to turn away some swimmers. Whatever the case, the city is planning to not have the locker rooms open, though it will add an outdoor shower and folks who need to change children can use the family bathroom. The chemicals in the pool kill coronavirus.

As far as toys, kids will have to bring their own and the city will probably go to a punch pass so staff don’t have to carry cash.

The pool is expected to open June 15.

“I’m proud of Columbia Falls, I think we’re doing a good job of keeping people safe,” Nicosia said.

In other city news:

• Nicosia said the city has reapplied for a federal BUILD grant. If successful, the city hopes to receive about $12 million to rebuild 13th Street from the high school and Fourth Avenue from the intersection of 13th to Glacier Gateway Elementary.

• The city is still discussing ways to safely hold Heritage Days events. The car show has already been canceled and many class reunions have been postponed. The 3-on-3 tournament may be held on a different weekend, as Polson has a bigger tourney that same weekend.

• The city will likely burn the weeds off its pit to park soon. The fenced in area was a dump site for bark waste from the Plum Creek mill for years. Now it’s a big weed patch.