Aside from not knowing when Phase 4 (when swimming pools are permitted to reopen) will start, we realized that running swimming lessons and public swimming safely and effectively would not be possible. Lifeguards and swimmers are often put in a position where social distancing isn’t an option, and staff and swimmer safety is a priority at CPP.
On a personal note, it took me 5 days to make this post– every time I started typing I had to stop because I got too bummed out. The pool is easily my favourite part of my job, but this is the right call. Imagine lessons where all swimmers have to stay 2m away from the instructor and each other (rescue practice? Preschool classes in the deep end?), or driving to town and getting turned away at the gate because there were already 30 people on the premises, or having someone swim with their eyes shut and come up in front of you and do the spitty thing everyone does when they come up from the water right in your face. Definitely not ideal.
Sara Kuntz
Recreation Director
P.S. Stay tuned for some lifeguard Where Are They Now? profiles coming your way.
