Tiffin City Council decides against opening city swimming pool for 2020 season

Tiffin City Council decided during their meeting Monday evening that the city pool will not open for the 2020 season.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week that public pools can open beginning May 26 amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, so long as social distancing guidelines and other regulations are followed.

Council discussed the challenges of enforcing these regulations, including the fact that teenage lifeguards would likely have to be tasked with that responsibility if the pool were to open. More staff would need to be hired, and more equipment would need to be purchased in order to comply with these guidelines, council determined.

Financial shortfalls, including decreased tax revenue and the increased cost of operation for the swimming pool due to pandemic safety guidelines, were the primary reasoning for the decision, council members stated.