Recognizing challenges, Bluffton council agreed to open the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool this summer. Council’s action took place on May 26, including hiring the staff listed below.

The village is aiming for a June 6 weekend opening, with several guidelines, which follow:

• No season passes will be available in 2020; daily admission only
• The pool will be limited to a maximum of 100 swimmers
• The pool deck will be limited to a maximum of 25 persons 
• Swimming will be open to persons who work, live or attend school in Bluffton
• No concession stand will be open
• Swimmers may bring their own snacks inside the pool area

Council discussed in length potential issues limiting pool admittance to persons with only Bluffton connections. 

Jerry Cupples, council member, questioned this, added that the pool never makes money and wondered if it was wise to limit attendance this way.

Jesse Blackburn, village administrator, said, “I think it’s a good starting point. There are a lot of what ifs.”

Joe Sehlhorst, council member, added, “There will be people mad that the pool is open; and other mad if it was not open. 

Phill Talavania, council member, voice a concern that there could be angry out-of-town persons with questions about not being admitted to the pool. He said that young pool employees should not be the people handling those discussions with people.

“There could be some hard conversations,” he added.

Mayor Richard Johnson said that he would talk with Ryan Burkholder, police chief, to make certain that police officers are on site or available to help out if necessary should things get out of hand.

Dave Steiner, council member, voiced a concern that some Cory-Rawson swimmers live closer to the pool that do some Bluffton residents.

In response to the discussion, Blackburn said that the village will handle the pool opening with flexibility.

In an earlier discussion concerning the pool, the park and recreation board minutes of May 18 reveal the following:

Jennie Wilson, pool manager, shared a presentation she put together for safely opening the pool under COVID-19 guidelines.

• Using information from the Lima YMCA and a company specializing in COVID-19 safety in aquatic facilities called StarGuide ELITE

• Changes discussed include: limiting capacity, increased cleaning frequency, physical barriers to enforce distancing, lots of temporary floor markings, lifeguard training and employees wearing masks when not lifeguarding

In addition to Wilson’s presentation, the following was added to the minutes:

• Putnam County YMCA, which operates pools in Ottawa, Leipsic and Columbus Grove, confirmed they are planning on opening for the season in early to mid-June

• The rec committee instructed Bluffton village public works employees to begin preparing to open the pool in early June

• Wilson will continue to refine the pool’s safety approach with the latest guidance from the Ohio Department of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention.