City buildings could open next week
The jury is still out on whether or not there will be scenes like this at the Humboldt Family Aquatic Center this summer. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has OK'd public pools to be opened for lap swimming and swimming lessons only at this time. The city of Humboldt has not made a decision on if the pool will open this summer. Humboldt Independent file photo.
By KENT THOMPSON
Many city facilities could open by next week, but that doesn’t mean it will be in the same fashion people are accustomed to.
Pool
“The governor’s proclamation is going to allow lap swimming and swimming lessons only for pools that decide to open. A lot of municipalities have said they won’t be opening this summer,” Humboldt City Administrator Travis Goedken said.
“Our park board met earlier this month and directed city staff to move forward as if the pool will open,” Goedken said.
Rec Center
“We have been meeting a lot with Humboldt County Public Health about all our facilities, city hall, the rec center, the library, the pool. We had a meeting on May 11 with Joleen Sernett and Kim Schipull with Humboldt County Public Health to determine our plans for reopening and precautionary measures we had in place. They gave us some other precautionary measures to consider,” Goedken said.
“We have been trying to get additional equipment at the Rec Center to help control possible contact and contamination.
“We have several hand sanitizer stations at the Rec Center, but you kind of have to seek them out. It was recommended that we obtain more and put them in obvious locations,” Goedken reported. “It would help force people to take precautions.
“We think we can meet the 50 percent occupancy level just fine," he said. Goedken said a concern is the six-feet of separation in the weight room area and keeping that location clean.
With Gov. Reynolds' announcement Tuesday that the ban on mass gatherings of 10 people or more is being lifted, it is likely that recreational summer sports through the city will be able to take place this summer, with some restrictions.
Read the full story in this week's Humboldt Independent, on sale today. Subscribe by clicking the link at the top of the page.
