The Iola Municipal Pool, which opened a month later than expected this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled to close for the year Aug. 9.
That is, unless city officials can cobble enough lifeguards and other staffers to keep the pool open a few extra days.
Interim City Administrator Corey Schinstock told City Council members this week he has met with Recreation Director Jason Bauer about extending the truncated swimming season.
“Of course, the big thing is the college kids leaving,” Schinstock said.
The pool closes in early August once the college-age pool managers and lifeguards depart for school.
Councilman Steve French noted a potential workaround, if an employee from the Recreation Department steps in as interim managers after the collegians depart.
High-schoolers on staff will have a few extra days of summer because the start of USD 257 classes were pushed back to Aug. 24 this year from Aug. 19.
Bauer is distributing sign-up sheets to the lifeguards to determine who would be available if the pool season is extended, Schinstock said.
With fewer swimmers at that time of year, staffing shouldn’t be as big of an issue, French surmised.
“I’m not sure if it’s going to work,” Schinstock replied, “but we’ll certainly look at it.”
