News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
McMinnville’s Gilley Pool will reopen June 13, but only for McMinnville and Warren County residents.
City council members made the decision Tuesday night.
“We enjoy having other folks coming to our community and see our pool and see what we have,” Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Justin Scott said. “It’s sitting right here in the middle of our town, and so it was definitely a tough decision to make. But it was made, and we’re looking forward to opening our pool this summer and offer something for our children and community to have.”
Scott said only 200 residents can be at the water facility at a time in four hour blocks. The 200 cap limit could increase or decrease, depending on how well social distancing is implemented. He said the pool’s capacity is 800, including the deck area.
“It’s a first come first serve,” Scott said. “We’re not doing any reservations, we’re not doing anything like that. So it’ll be 200 folks, we will be screening those folks. We plan on doing
temperature checks, as well as taking down names and phone numbers.”
That tracking of visitors will provide contact information in case tracing would be needed, Scott said. That would allow health officials to track down someone dealing with COVID-19 symptoms and who they came in contact with at the pool.
Scott said other changes include implementing social distancing for the concession stand area and the bathhouse.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” Scott said. “Obviously kids get in the pool and they get excited, they’re happy, they want to play, and all these things. It’s definitely going to be a different summer.”
The pool could remain open until September.
