The Canby Swim Center plans to reopen for reservations next week under the severe restrictions allowed under the governor’s latest modifications to her continuing coronavirus orders — meaning no more than six non-staff members inside the building at one time.
“We are permitted to have no more than six ‘customers’ in the building to include caregivers, parents and therapists,” Aquatic Program Manager Eric Laitinen said in an email Friday. “Put another way, you must reserve spots for each person that will be in the building.”
Laitinen alluded to the ongoing confusion owners of gyms, health clubs and other indoor recreation facilities have about the modifications Gov. Kate Brown announced Tuesday, including whether her “six people per facility” rule was meant to include employees.
“If the final guidance differs from our interpretation, then we will amend accordingly and communicate as soon as possible,” Laitinen told Swim Center patrons in the email.
After closing in mid-March when the pandemic first hit Oregon, the aquatic center reopened briefly after last year’s wildfires, with reservations required and strict coronavirus guidelines in place.
It closed again in November during the governor’s “two-week freeze” that followed an unprecedented surge in new cases, and has remained shuttered ever since.
The pool will accept reservations from noon to 3 p.m. Friday for the week of Feb. 1-5. If there are still open spots, more reservations will be accepted from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Reservations for the week of Feb. 8 will begin being accepted at 7 a.m. the previous Wednesday. The calendar for lanes and time slots is available here.
“Those of you that swam with us in November may remember that things filled quickly, yet we still had an unacceptable number of no-shows,” Laitinen said. “Please be considerate of all of our patrons. Honor your reservations whenever possible and call us ASAP if you are unable to attend.”
One last note: The aquatic center is still waiting for a new duct heater for its HVAC system.
“The pool is warm and so are the locker rooms, but the pool deck area is a brisk 58 degrees as I write this message,” Laitinen said. “Bundle up!”
