Avon Lake's Trivanovich Aquatic Center Will Not Open This Summer

AVON LAKE, OH — The Ellen Trivanovich Aquatic Center will be closed this summer, Mayor Greg Zilka announced this week.

In an open letter to the community, Zilka said the new coronavirus pandemic motivated the decision to close the facility. The unknown qualities of the virus, the mayor said, require officials to protect residents.

"This decision was very difficult to make and one that was made after consulting with our own staff, the heads of our safety forces and health professionals," Zilka wrote. "After carefully reviewing the governor's guidelines regarding the opening of pools, compliance is extraordinarily difficult."

Several other Northeast Ohio communities have decided to keep their public pools and aquatic facilities closed for the summer, including Avon, Shaker Heights, Beachwood and Cleveland Heights. Lakewood has delayed the opening of their pools.

Zilka said the city has had problems recruiting lifeguards to work at the aquatic facility during the pandemic. Many of the lifeguards are Avon Lake teenagers, he said, and many would risk exposure to COVID-19 by working at the aquatic facility.

"We recognize the Ellen Trivanovich Aquatic Center is an attraction that our community looks forward to spending time in during the summer months," Zilka said. "Unfortunately, the risks associated with opening the pool are not acceptable during the pandemic. We must remember the health and safety of our community and staff matters most."