Du Quoin pool, playground to open July 1, with some restrictions

The Du Quoin city pool and the Keyes Park playground will reopen to the public next Wednesday, on July 1, according to Joe Stephens the Du Quoin park board president.

"We've been reviewing the guidelines for the park and still are putting a plan together," Stephens said Thursday. "We need to make sure we got everything right."

At the pool, the mornings will still be dedicated to swimming lessons, water aerobics and swim team practice. Starting at noon, however, 45 people will be allowed into the pool in two-hour sessions. Those sessions will be held noon-2 p.m.; 2:30-4:30 p.m.; and 5-7 p.m. The 30-minute breaks between sessions are for cleaning and disinfecting the pool area, Stephens said.

Along with the 45 swimmers will be four or five lifeguards, he added.

"There won't be any pool toys and I'm not sure we'll open the diving board," Stephens said. Right now, there won't be any private parties, he added.

Open swim sessions will also be available Saturdays and Sundays in the afternoon, he said.

Getting into the pool area will be $2 and first-come, first-served, Stephens said.

As for the playground, "we're still working on the details," he added. Periodic cleaning of the equipment will be done, and "we have to make sure we have the manpower to keep things right," Stephens said.

"I beg everyone's patience," he added. "We're doing the best we can working within the (COVID-19) guidelines and keeping people safe. Throwing open the doors and letting 'er rip would not be good stewardship."

Stephens said residents have been "wonderful" during this time of upheaval.

"I can't say enough about how enthusiastic everyone has been," he added.