Last Thursday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced her three-phase plan for getting Kansas back on its feet from the COVID-19 pandemic. Her plan has major implications for how soon the Iola Recreation Department will be able to resume its activities.
Summer baseball and softball practices were scheduled to start May 1, but have been moved back in accordance with Gov. Kelly’s plan. May 18 signals the start of phase two, which would allow gatherings of more than 30 people.
Iola Recreation Director Jason Bauer says the drafts for teams are scheduled for next week, and that safety will be a top priority when he gathers with coaches.
“We will go over some certain things with the coaches,” Bauer said. “We are obviously going to have to use social distancing, and if any kid starts to feel sick, then they should not come to practice.”
Bauer says that the numbers for summer baseball and softball are down by nearly 150 young sluggers, making it enough for only two teams per age division. Some of the low turnout may stem from COVID-19 worries, but Bauer points out that many simply didn’t know the department was going through with its summer ball activities.
The rec department is actively looking for more youngsters via Facebook, radio advertisement, and an all-call through USD 257.
“We’d have enough kids to maybe do two teams, but who wants to play each other every game of the season,” Bauer said. “So, that is when we would look at playing Humboldt or Chanute to help these kids not play each other every game.”
THE OPENING of the pool has been pushed back until June 15, although under the governor’s plan it could open as soon as June 1.
Beginning June 1, crowds of 80-plus can gather.
A lack of qualified lifeguards is holding the Iola pool hostage, Bauer said.
The process of entering and exiting the pool will be much different than years prior. In a Zoom meeting with other recreation department directors in Kansas, Bauer learned each visitor to the pool will need to provide contact information.
Bauer admits the opening of the pool will be a challenge, and that many details are still needed.
“They strongly suggested that the lifeguards wear facemasks, but you can’t blow a whistle with the mask on,” Bauer said. “So people talked about going to electronic whistles, but if you still have the mask on in 90-degree weather, it is going to create a lot of bacteria. Then, you have to worry about getting your own lifeguards sick.”
Since Gov. Kelly’s Safer-at-Home order was enacted in March, the recreation building has remained closed. With that has come the cancellation of the department’s aerobics classes. Those activities would be able to resume when phase two starts on May 18. Bauer is currently communicating with instructors when they will be available to resume their classes.
