The pool at the qplex in Quispamsis. (Image submitted by the Town of Quispamsis)
It will be more challenging to keep cool and active in Quispamsis this summer.
Despite the newfound freedoms of the yellow phase, COVID-19 restrictions mean the qplex pool will remain closed.
Aaron Kennedy, the town’s communications manager, says 50 people are allowed to gather outdoors but physical distancing must be maintained.
“On a hot July or August afternoon, we have a capacity of 400 people in the pool. So, if we are restricted to 50, take out lifeguards and staff, all of a sudden you are looking at generating 10 or 12 per cent of your normal revenue so financially it just wasn’t feasible,” Kennedy said.
The conference rooms, ice surface and walking track will also be closed for the summer.
Kennedy says the walking track is essentially subsidized by revenue generated from the pool and ice surface.
He said the closures will have some impact on the town’s finances.
“There are some savings by not having the facility open in terms of labour and maintenance in the pool and those sorts of things. There is certainly that lost revenue and that is why it didn’t make sense to open the pool with a fraction of the revenue when those overhead costs would remain in place.” Kennedy said.
Kennedy notes there are options to get in some exercise with the town’s 17 kilometres of walking trails.
The decision to close the pool was not made lightly, according to Kennedy.
He said the town, like many other municipalities right now, had to consider the public health requirements and the financial ramifications.
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