Pool may be done by May’s end; city must decide on opening

OSMOND — Work is progressing on Osmond Municipal Pool. According to a conversation with Rich Larsen of Christiansen Construction last week, the pool is done as far as pouring concrete on the pool itself. Workers will be here to caulk the bottom sometime this week, and in about a month, it will be painted.

Also in the next week or so, the concrete deck around the outside of the pool will be poured. The filter — a large red container which has been sitting near the pool, will be placed in its position to the northeast corner of the building.

As far as when construction will be completed, Larsen said it was originally scheduled for May 18, but that date will probably be pushed back to about May 25.

Normally, the opening date of the swimming pool is scheduled to be around Memorial Day; however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that may not happen. According to Osmond city officials, they will just have to wait and see what happens with the situation.

According to information from the office of Governor Pete Ricketts, some businesses such as salons and restaurants, as well as places of worship will be able to open soon in a limited capacity; however, no mention was made as far as swimming pools.

There was information from the League Association of Risk Management (LARM) which states that their recommendation is to remain closed.

“Elected and appointed officials have tough decisions to make,” said Dave Bos, control manager for LARM. “This one is about a trade-off of our kids having a fun place to spend their summer afternoons or potentially saving lives in our communities. While swimming pools are a quality of life issue, they are unfortunately outweighed at this time by COVID-19, which is a quantity of life issue.”

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through properly treated pool water. However, there is a definite concern the virus could be spread in the pool bathhouses, restrooms, on pool ladders, slides and pool lounge chairs. There is always a contamination factor when you put several people in a relatively small area. It would be difficult to maintain social distancing in most swimming pools, especially with a group of children,” Bos said.