LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — The City of Lafayette and Lafayette Parks and Recreation announced Wednesday that the last day of the aquatics season will be Sunday, August 9, 2020. All three aquatics centers: Castaway Bay, Tropicanoe Cove, and Vinton Pool will close on August 9 for the remainder of the year.
According to a press release, August 9 was the original closing date for Castaway Bay and Vinton Pool but Tropicanoe Cove was going to remain open on weekends. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced all three pools would close completely on the 9th to prevent large gatherings.
“Our staff has worked so hard to maintain clean, safe environments at all of our aquatics centers and we want to continue to keep any risk of exposure or spread of COVID-19 at a bare minimum, especially as we prepare for back-to-school time,” said Mayor Tony Roswarski.
Per Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track Indiana Plan, all three aquatics centers have operated at 50% capacity this summer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have operated at 50% capacity when operation costs have stayed the same, which has presented its own set of unique challenges for each of our aquatics centers,” said Roswarski, indicating that closing for the season is also a fiscally responsible choice.
About the shortened season, Lafayette Parks and Recreation Director of Operations Jon Miner said, “while we are disappointed for both our staff and patrons, we are confident that this is the best decision for our community. We look forward to what we hope will be a full season next year.”