Some Aurora Pools Reopen, Others To Stay Closed Through Summer

AURORA, IL — Aurora residents again have access to pools and outdoor splash pads in the city after Illinois entered phase 4 of its reopening plan. But not all pools in the city will be reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, according to officials.

The Fox Valley Park District reopened its indoor lap pool and a therapeutic pool at the Vaughan Athletic Center for park district aquatics members. A recreational pool with a water slide is also set to reopen at the center this summer, according to a report by the Aurora Beacon-News. The park district started reopening its outdoor splash pads Monday, executive director Jim Pilmer said in the report.

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Under Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan, pools must limit capacity to no more than 50 percent and everyone should wear a mask when not swimming.

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Pool operators should check the temperature of swimmers and employees when they enter the facility, and employees should be screened for symptoms during their shifts, according to the state's guidelines. All rafts, tubes, lounge chairs or other shared equipment must be sanitized between each use.

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The Fox Valley Park District is requiring people to reserve pool time to limit capacity and ensure staff can maintain proper social distancing, Pilmer told the Beacon-News. Staff will wear masks and have been trained on social distancing guidelines, the report states.

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Despite the Fox Valley Park District moving forward with reopening some pools and splash pads, the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center on the city's east side and Splash Country Water Park on the west side will not reopen this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, the report states.

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Fox Valley Park District officials announced in May the two outdoor aquatics centers would remain closed, saying it would be nearly impossible to enforce social distancing and sanitize its facilities, which draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer. The two facilities are co-owned by the City of Aurora and the Fox Valley Park District.

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