Council OKs summer pool schedule changes and day-pass registration to preserve local swim team

Canal Winchester staff and council agreed April 20 to change pool operations this summer so the Joint Rec District (JRD) swim team can practice and compete without displacing public use.

City staff told council they had briefly risked losing a swim coach and that the JRD had raised concerns. In response, staff and Columbus Pool Management worked with the JRD to revise scheduling so the swim team can begin practice at 6:45 a.m. and have full access to the pool for morning practices. Council members said that roughly 100 children could have been affected if the team failed to form.

Miss Jackson announced the pool’s regular public hours will shift from 12–8 p.m. to 12–7 p.m. for the season. Staff also plans one Wednesday swim meet during which the pool will close to the public at 4 p.m. to host competition activity. To accommodate older swimmers, staff proposed a morning senior-swim hour, likely 10:45–11:45 a.m. for ages 60 and over, and staff said they are still finalizing exact details.

Miss Jackson said day passes for non-members will require pre-registration and identity verification at City Hall or during a special pool open-house event; a photo of each individual who wishes to visit the pool on a daily pass will be required for verification.

Council members praised staff for quick coordination with the JRD and asked that communications be clear for residents about the new hours and the pre-registration requirement. Staff said the first several weeks of implementation might be “absolute chaos” and asked for patience as adjustments are made.

Ordinance 26-007 (an update to swimming pool rates) was adopted the same evening; staff will update posted rates and online payment systems as part of implementation.