Josh Oakes, CPRP, Recreation Supervisor, 509.363.5407
Monday, May 4, 2020 at 5:09 p.m.
Dear pre-season Witter pool users,
We hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe during this extraordinary time.
Parks & Recreation is following the guidance of local and regional leadership in adapting our operations to slow the spread of COVID-19.
During this time, we are operating under a Core Service Model, focused on just a few key areas: community and employee safety, asset protection, sanitation, and baseline accounting. We have about half our usual staffing levels for this time of year, due to a focus on essential work only and budget impacts.
Given the uncertain nature and timing of re-opening facilities, limited staff, and budget impacts from COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our pre-season swim at Witter pool, scheduled for May 4 – June 12.
We are sorry. We know this impacts swim teams and lap swimming, and is not a decision made lightly. Unfortunately, we simply don't have the staff and budget right now to open for pre-season in May, even if we have the green light.
When it is deemed safe to do so, we are looking forward to a phased reopening of our currently closed facilities and postponed programs. However, we'll be doing so with limited resources and will need to make data-driven decisions about what is re-opened when. We'll be focused on high-impact facilities and programs that have lower costs. With limited resources, we'll need to direct efforts at preparing for summer opening, knowing even regular season may look different.
Again, we are sorry for the implications of the pre-season cancellation on your lap swim and swim team programs. We hope you're finding ways to stay active and healthy during this difficult time, and look forward to regrouping with you in the weeks to come.
Sincerely,
Josh Oakes
