The Ellsworth Community School District’s Klaas-Jonas Pool will reopen to the public Sept. 28, obviously with new operational rules.

Attendance at last Monday night’s meeting of the Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education held in the high school cafetorium was the biggest yet in the COVID-19 times, and most of those people were there to find out about the pool reopening plan, that was unveiled by Athletic and Pool Director Ann Huppert.

The pool will be open seven days a week, though there may be some change in hours. Cleaning and disinfecting will be done daily from 4:30 – 6 a.m. and Friday the pool will close at 10 a.m. for cleaning and maintenance for the weekend.

Social distancing will be necessary at all times, and those en- tering the pool facility need to wear a mask, though swimmers and lifeguards obviously won’t be masked.

Swimmers are encouraged to come and go in their suits. There are just three chairs in lockers rooms and three chairs on the pool deck.

Lifeguards will ensure swimmers stay sixfeet part. When they rotate lifeguard stations, they’ll disinfect. Lifeguards will stand at the slide station, and make sure social distancing is in force at the slide and diving board.

Attendance will be taken as visitors enter the pool.

Health requirements will allow 30 patrons in the pool at a time, and there are five staff members.

Everyone using the pool needs to schedule a block of time for activities. That is done on the website YouCanBook.Me. Patrons need to enter their name and contact information, so the district knows who has been using the pool. Walkins will be allowed if there are open slots at each given time.

See pool hours in the attached graphic for MF use, lap swim and swimming lessons.

Open swim will be available Saturday and Sunday only, and patrons can sign up for three time slots: 1-2:30 p.m., 2:30 – 4 p.m. and 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Swimming lessons will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays, and parents will be in the water with students in levels 1-3 and aren’t allowed in the facility in levels 4-6. There are no preschool level swimming classes scheduled at this time.

“We thought it was important to get swimming lessons in,” said Huppert.

Board and community members were appreciative of the work that went into the reopening plan.

“Thanks Ann and thanks to all the public for your patience,” said Board President Doug Peterson.

Staff photo.