There’s potentially good news for summer fun in the District of Kent.
On Thursday (June 18), district officials announced the re-opening of the Ferny Coombe pool to the public with limited services. The pool is slated to re-open for the Agassiz-Harrison Aquanauts Swim Club starting June 22, and the pool will be open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting June 29.
“I am pleased to announce that we have taken the necessary steps to safely open the Ferny Coombe Pool,” District Mayor Sylvia Pranger said in a statement. “I recognized the importance of having aquatic amenities in the summer months. Swimming is a great way to get active and be healthy. Our services have been redesigned to ensure the health and safety for staff and participants. We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding of our reduced participant capacity, social distancing measures and advance program system booking.”
RELATED: COVID-19: Ferny Coombe Pool re-opening delayed
Allowed pool activities will include length swimming, AquaFit classes and parent-accompanied swim lessons. Full-on family swims are not yet permitted and could be added at a later date. Those who wish to use the outdoor pool will need to register through the district’s online hub, Connect to Rec, found on their web page at www.kentbc.ca.
The district has several safety guidelines in place, chief of which are staying home if you are ill, keeping your hands clean and practicing proper physical distancing.
WATCH: Reading splashes into Agassiz’s Ferny Coombe Pool
The pool’s reopening lines up with Phase 3 of the province’s Restart Plan, which allows schools, resorts, parks and some entertainment venues to reopen under enhanced protocols. Should transmissions remain low or start to fall, under Phase 3, people can begin traveling throughout the province safely.
Experts have previously noted that while the coronavirus itself can live in water for hours or possibly days, the risk of picking up the virus while swimming is low. While it may live in water, its presence does not mean it’s infectious.
“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,” the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated.
The more clear and present danger is if there is a disregard for physical distancing and other safety protocols and if the crowds get too big too soon.
In mid-April, the district previously announced the pool’s scheduled reopening on May 5 had to be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district will publish activity schedules and guidelines via their web page and social media presences. If you have questions, please contact Skylar Gormley, assistant manager of community services and projects at sgormley@kentbc.ca or by calling 604-796-8891.
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