CORNWALL, Ontario – It was a shorter than normal season for the City of Cornwall’s outdoor public pools this year, and that short season will officially come to an end at the end of the day this coming Sunday, Aug. 23.
The reason for the closing is because most of the lifeguards for the pools are students who will be returning to school in the next couple of weeks.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, three of Cornwall’s outdoor public pools, Mattice, St. Francis, and Reg Campbell opened on June 30 under the following restrictions:
- Physical distancing is required inside and outside the pool, with household members excepted,
- Swimmers must use the designated entrance and exit to the pool area,
- Swimmers will be asked screening questions upon their arrival at the pool,
- Swimmers must shower before entering the pool and sanitize their hands,
- Swimmers will be limited to 20 in the large pool and 10 in the wading pool, and
- Residents who are sick must stay home and not use public facilities.
The City’s other two outdoor pools, Terry Fox and St. Joseph, opened later in July.
Swimming sessions themselves were limited to 45 minutes per session with a 15 minute break in between to give lifeguards a chance to close the pools.
Additionally, there were no diving boards, no swimming lessons and no equipment with the public encouraged to bring their own swim equipment.
The pools will be open for the last time this Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
