COLUMBUS, Ohio — “I think it’s safe to say this isn't the summer anyone wanted,” said City of Hilliard Director of Communications David Ball.

The coronavirus has certainly thrown a wrench into many summer plans — including going to the pool.

What You Need To Know


  • Seven Central Ohio cities choosing not to operate this year due to COVID-19

  • Upper Arlington is reopening, guests can reserve a 2-hour swim period online

  • Social distancing by markers, sanitization after each swim period, limited capacity of 125 patrons

“There have been people who obviously have been disappointed, but there are also people that have understood.”

Ball says the decision to keep both of its facilities closed this season wasn’t an easy choice, but one that ultimately stemmed down to safety and finances.

“Given the guidelines the state gave us to operate under, we determined we would lose almost a half a million dollars at least by opening the pool this summer.”

Hilliard joins seven other Central Ohio cities in making this decision, while at least one community has chosen a different route.

“We actually had children dancing through the gate because they were so excited,” said Director the of Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Department Debby Mclaughlin.

The nearby city Upper Arlington opened two of its three facilities this season. A limited number of guests can reserve time online.  

Aquatic manager Lee Spitzer, who has been with the city since the late 80s, explains some of the other changes.

“We’ve added the social distancing aspect and so we brought in some deck monitors to make sure people are maintaining safe social distances. And then we’ve added the sanitization piece, where we after two hour swim block, take a half hour and sanitize the facility,” explained Spitzer.

As coronavirus concerns have continued into the summer, and with the precautions mandated by the state, the group wasn’t sure how many patrons would even show up.

“We also weren’t sure of the demand of how many people would actually want to swim in a public pool," said Spitzer.

But guests like Natalie Chilenski feel confident.

“We really have felt safe every time we’ve come. We think the precautions are great, to the point where we’ve not gone to other pools because we feel so comfortable coming here,” said Chilenski.

Mclaughlin says there has been some financial loss in the process.

“We developed a forecast of what the financial picture would be this summer and took into account we wouldn’t reach 100 percent capacity.”

However, Spitzer says it’s been worth it.

“With us being able to do this with the support of city council, it’s absolutely huge for the community.”