The Astoria Parks and Recreation Department announces the first day of reopening the Astoria Aquatic Center to the public on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 7:00am, assuming Clatsop County remains in, or below, the HIGH Risk Category for COVID 19.
The Aquatics Division has procured and trained staff, reorganized use areas to increase social distancing requirements, and has obtained new equipment to assist with operations that comply with all health and safety guidelines for reopening the facility.
Oregon Health Authority Guidelines for Indoor Recreation and Fitness Establishments can be accessed here: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2352.pdf
Beginning at 8:00am on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 reservations for pool and fitness use can be made
• Online at: https://webtrac.astoriaparks.com/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/splash.html?interfaceParameter=webtrac_1
Click on the “Aquatics Offerings” button to find available use times
• Over the phone by calling: 503-325-7027
• Via email: tpatterson@astoria.or.us.
Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance, dependent on the county’s most recent risk ratings. All use will be subject to the COVID 19 Risk Category for Clatsop County; as well as any impacts to operations due to COVID 19-related issues that may arise at the facility. Staff will be working hard to maintain a regular schedule of services and will provide notice if unexpected closures occur after reservations are taken.
Hours of operation:
• Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday: 7:00am-10:00am, 11:00am-1:00pm and 4:00pm-7:00pm*
*The facility will be closed between each of the open periods above to allow staff to fully sanitize all use areas and prepare for the next group of guests.
• Saturday: 11:00am- 3:00pm
Because of the limited operating hours and days, standard drop-in rates $18.00 per family of up to five, $7.50 per adult and $5.50 for senior citizens and youth will be the only available means of access for the facility and monthly passes and ACH will not be available at this time. Special use groups, such as Silver and Fit, Silver Sneakers, and Oller Trust, will be able to continue their access of the facility as well as Astoria Parks Recreation and Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients. Patrons wishing to utilize these programs must call the facility to reserve use times, reservations for the programs listed above cannot be made online.
In advance of reopening, tours of the facility will be offered to community members to demonstrate new protocols in place and allow patrons to experience the procedures that will help keep them safe while swimming or working out. Free tours are available for individuals and groups up to six in number at one time and the following dates and times may be reserved in advance: March 8, 10 and 12 at 8:00am, 9:00am, 12:00pm, 5:00pm and 6:00pm. Tour reservations are available via email: tpatterson@astoria.or.us or over the phone at 503-325-7027.
To comply with Oregon Health Authority’s current mandates for operating a pool facility, the need to keep individuals six feet apart at all times, and the limitations of the facility’s layout for ease of movement and oversight, the Aquatic Center will be utilizing a reservation system where patrons will have access to the facility in 45 minute increments at the top of each open hour for use of the Recreation and Lap Pools, the Spa and Kiddie Pools will be available through onsite reservation once patrons have arrived for their predetermined use date and time. Use of the Cardio and Dryland Fitness areas will be staggered with access beginning on the half-hour to avoid crowding at the front desk, with a 7:30am start time for reservations. The facility will close for 15 minutes hourly to allow staff to sanitize all use areas and patrons will be notified 15 minutes in advance of their reservation period ending. The total capacity of the facility for patrons present at one time will be capped to meet the capacity of the available floor space and ability of staff to safely monitor activities, with no more than 36 patrons allowed to reserve spaces during a given use period.
Day use lockers will be available on a limited first-come, first-served basis and some locker space may be available to rent at $15.00 per month. Patrons are encouraged to prepare in advance as much as possible to maximize their use time while at the facility. This includes bringing towels from home, carrying spare clothes that are easy to change in and out of, and bringing any needed items such as googles and snorkels with you. Limited exercise and swim fitness equipment will be available for check-out at the facility, equipment will be limited.
Masks, a short health screening, and social-distancing will be required to enter and use the facility and all health and safety measures must be adhered to keep the Aquatic Center open for public use.
The restricted capacity and limited schedule in place are anticipated to be kept in place into the foreseeable future while the COVID-19 pandemic continues, regardless of the County’s risk rating changing between High, Moderate or Low. The facility will be closed if the County’s rating is listed as Extreme.
More details on reopening and updates can be found at astoriaparks.com