Quincy pool will not open this summer

QUINCY — The Quincy Aquatic Center will not open up this summer due to the requirements in Gov. Jay Inslee’s state COVID-19 reopening plan.

Public pools are not allowed to open until Phase 3 of Inslee’s four-phase plan and would only be allowed to operate at 50 percent of their capacity. This consideration, along with the sanitation and social distancing requirements, prompted the city of Quincy and the Quincy City Council to decide to keep the pool closed for the 2020 season.

Grant County is in Phase 2 now. It is unknown when the county will enter Phase 3.

“While it is not a popular decision to close the pool, we will instead focus our energies on summer youth programs, improving our park amenities and working on our fall programs for the community,” said Russ Harrington, recreation director for the city.

Quincy’s is not the only city pool to stay closed this summer. Ephrata’s Splash Zone will not open this summer. Moses Lake’s Surf and Slide and the Othello Community Swimming Pool have not yet announced when they will open.

— Rachal Pinkerton