ELLINWOOD — The Ellinwood City Council discussed plans for reopening the city at their May meeting. A phased approach similar to neighboring Barton County communities was presented for the opening of city buildings and offices and parks and playgrounds. But, concerning the pool, the council appeared to make a full 180 since their March 10 meeting. At that meeting, they anticipated a full opening, with the confidence they would have an adequate amount of help. Instead, they took action Tuesday night to keep both the public swimming pool and splash pad closed for the 2020 season.
Komarek has been visiting with city leaders from other Kansas communities, and reported his findings to the council. At least 25 percent of Kansas communities were not planning to open their pools this year. Reasons varied. Manhattan, he said, had determined weeks earlier they would not open pools because of projected decreases in sales tax revenue due to the closure of businesses and dormitories that resulted in a mass migration of students away from the city.
For others, liability concerns were the deciding factor. One city learned their insurance company would not cover them if a pool user were to prove they had contracted Covid-19 at the pool, regardless of how remote the chance might seem, Komarek said.
Ellinwood relies heavily on both sales tax and property tax, and with the oil and gas industry anticipating major losses in revenue this year, valuations are certain to be down, Komarek suggested. And, while the city brings in nearly $15,000 each year from admission and concession sales, it routinely operates the pool at a $40,000 to $45,000 loss annually, he said.
Financial concerns weren’t the only concern. In visiting with the pool manager, Komarek was advised there was resistance to a full opening due to health concerns, and finding an adequate number of lifeguards in light of this was now uncertain.
The concerns mirrored some of the other communities that are planning to open. With the state’s phased reopening plan making gatherings of more than 30 people possible only after June 16 at the earliest, a shortened season is already a given. But fewer employees are also leading some to consider being open for fewer hours.
In order to protect the public, concession offerings will likely be limited to bottled water or soft drinks, and patrons will need to bring their own chairs, as they will not be available for public use. Signs will also need to be posted advising the public that staff will do their best to keep surfaces clean and sanitary, but there are no guarantees.
“Practically once or twice a week there are events with children getting sick and vomiting or worse,” Komarek said. “With that, while I would like to see the pool open because it would make everything feel normal again, I’m not sure it is the wisest decision to make.”
Mayor Irlan Fullbright admitted he had felt determined to open weeks ago, but he is no longer in favor of opening. Councilman Jon Prescott added that a second wave or resurgence of the Covid-19 virus is likely, and he felt keeping the pool and splash pad closed was a prudent decision. The remaining council members agreed.
So, with swimming out for the summer, interest turned to ballparks and playgrounds. With the phasing in of activities hopefully happening over the next month, the council felt confident it would be okay to open the ballpark, as well as the city offices by June 1. The Ellinwood Rec Commission hopes to have ball games going by mid summer. Older kids, ages 13-15, may start practicing on a limited basis in late May, and younger kids could begin practicing in early June.
Council members also agreed they would look at opening the playground at City Park, and allow access to the restrooms at the park by June 15, provided the state reopening plan remains on schedule. The parks department will increase efforts to keep the restrooms and equipment clean, but signs will be posted reminding the public that there is no way to make certain that equipment is completely sanitary at any time.
The council also agreed to provide $5,000 plus the cost of insurance to ensure the city’s fireworks program can happen this year. Each year, the city uses the same firm that provides Great Bend’s fireworks show. This year, theirs will be on July 3, so Ellinwood will have their show at dusk on Saturday, July 4.
