PORT TOWNSEND — The City of Port Townsend is opening the Mountain View Pool for the Port Townsend High School swim team starting Monday.
This is made possible by a partnership with the Port Townsend School District and the work of the pool staff, according to a release from the city of Port Townsend. An agreement based on historic precedent allows the district to provide its own certified lifeguards and oversight for its use of the pool for swim team practice and its compressed season.
Meanwhile, city of Port Townsend staff will continue to prepare for reopening to the public. Last Monday, the Port Townsend City Council voted unanimously to allow City Manager John Mauro to negotiate a contract with a third-party provider to ensure the procedures, protocols and practices for safety are in place and that staff are trained and ready. With below-minimum staffing levels at the moment, the city will only be able to open to the public when enough trained and certified staff members can provide adequate coverage.
“We’re very excited to get the team back in the pool,” notes Port Townsend swim coach and JeffCo Aquatic Coalition Chair Peter Braden. “We appreciate all the work the city’s done to get our kids back in their home pool starting Monday.”
“The staff have been phenomenal during this very challenging time,” said Port Townsend Public Works Director Steve King. “We’re walking through every detail and upping our game so we’ll be ready for the public as soon as we possibly can. I appreciate the community’s patience as we commit to safety as our main priority in reopening.”
No date is set for reopening to the public but the community can keep up to date by visiting the Port Townsend Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofPT.