Grab those goggles and swim trunks — and, possibly, some face masks. The City of Chehalis’ Gail and Carolyn Shaw Aquatics Center and pool is opening Thursday, July 1.
The city recently published its 2021 summer schedule and will be operating under new COVID-19 guidance to provide a “safe, healthy and fun environment for our staff and swimmers,” wrote Recreation Manager Lilly Wall.
“We are looking forward to the facility being open and are excited to share our new facility improvement with the community,” she wrote.
Thanks to a donation from the Chehalis Foundation, the city was recently able to upgrade and expand the pool deck by 1,200 square feet and install shaded areas to the deck area.
“This improvement will provide a much-larger area for our patrons to physically distance and enjoy lounging in the sun,” Wall wrote.
The city expects some COVID-19 guidelines to remain, even as Washington state reopens June 30. Wall said social distancing, masks and certain capacity restrictions will be in place, but the city is prepared to make changes in its safety procedures as guidelines ease over the coming weeks.
The Gail and Carolyn Shaw Aquatics Center, located at 401 Southwest Parkland Drive, was closed last year due to COVID-19.
Open swims will be held Monday through Sunday this year. There will be two swimming sessions, one from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and another from 3 to 6 p.m.
Admission is $5 and includes sales tax.
Adult lap swims begin Monday, July 12, and run for an hour starting at 7:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. Admission is $3 and includes sales tax.
An unlimited $40 season pass is available to families living within the Chehalis School District. Passes can be purchased at the Chehalis Parks and Recreation Building, located at 1321 South Market Blvd.
The city is also offering swimming lessons in two-week sessions.
A free kids spray park is also open daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting.
More information is available on the Chehalis Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
