How the NJDOH Summer Guidelines Effect the Ramsey Municipal Pool Daily Operations
Update From Director: 6/10/2020
“The standards will ensure that precautions are in place to protect our health while enjoying the pool this summer.”
– Judy Persichilli, Commissioner Department of Health
Target Opening Date: Monday 6/29
Capacity Limits & Social Distancing
Face Coverings
Cleaning, Disinfecting & Hygiene
Other Important Guidelines
– Judy Persichilli, Commissioner Department of Health
Target Opening Date: Monday 6/29
Capacity Limits & Social Distancing
- Capacity limited to 50%; we will offer 2 time blocks to give members the opportunity to attend every day
- NEW Pool Hours: 10-2p & 3-7p
- Pool will close from 2-3p & everyone must exit (we will clean, sanitize, & regroup)
- We are asking just 1 visit per day per family at this time
- If capacity limits change, we will change our policy
- Per usual, the slides and diving boards will open at noon
- Lap swimming will only be available from 10-12p & 5-7p
- This will free up that section to help distance in the water
- NEW Pool Hours: 10-2p & 3-7p
- There will be no reservation service and will be first come first serve
- We do not foresee max capacity being an issue on most days
- Based on previous year’s attendance statistics
- If we do hit capacity, you will have the option to wait (one-out one-in)
- We do not foresee max capacity being an issue on most days
- Staff and patrons must do their best to distance themselves in the water, on the pool deck, in the bathrooms and anywhere else on the grounds
- Loitering will not be allowed in the breezeway (entrance/exit area)
- There will be signs marking off 6 feet of spacing by the entrance and snack stand area
- There will be no NEW non-residents permitted to join this year
Face Coverings
- Face coverings are encouraged while not in the pool
- Children under 2 should not wear face coverings
- Lifeguards will not wear face coverings
Cleaning, Disinfecting & Hygiene
- There will be routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched areas throughout the day
- The bathrooms will be heavily sanitized during the break at 2-3p
- The bathrooms and pool house will be sanitized every evening
- Hand sanitizers will be provided
- Touchless dispensers will be installed in the bathrooms
- Footwear must be worn in the bathrooms and showers
- Signage will be posted to help keep everyone on alert
Other Important Guidelines
- Staff will be screened daily
- You will not be permitted in without your key fob
- Members must scan in to facilitate potential contact tracing efforts
- Members must also have their photo uploaded
- The playground will be closed until the restriction is lifted
- There will be no pool toys, noodles, or water guns permitted
- There will be NO group swim lessons (unless restrictions are lifted)
- There will be Ramsey Rays Swim Team (more info to be posted on the website)
- Sorry, NO 5-6 year olds permitted to join this year (we cannot have a coach in the water)
- No away swim meets (intra-squad and virtual only)
- First Aid will be available, but we ask that guardians handle minor accidents (Band-Aids, etc.)
Update from the Director: 6/8/2020
6/8/2020
The pool cover is off!!!
It has been a tough few months for everyone, but I am so grateful for the support and happy to announce we will be open this summer! There is still a lot to do, and we are still waiting for official guidelines from the health department.
Community pass will be up and running by the end of the week, and as of now OUR opening day will be June 29th. If we can open sooner I will let you know, but it takes about 3 weeks to prep, repair, clean and chlorinate the pool and about 2 weeks to train the staff. Please trust me that we will be working nonstop to get the pool open by Monday June 29th.
Thanks again and see you all soon!
Gary
The pool cover is off!!!
It has been a tough few months for everyone, but I am so grateful for the support and happy to announce we will be open this summer! There is still a lot to do, and we are still waiting for official guidelines from the health department.
Community pass will be up and running by the end of the week, and as of now OUR opening day will be June 29th. If we can open sooner I will let you know, but it takes about 3 weeks to prep, repair, clean and chlorinate the pool and about 2 weeks to train the staff. Please trust me that we will be working nonstop to get the pool open by Monday June 29th.
Thanks again and see you all soon!
Gary
Letter from the Director and Pool Commission
6/4/2020
To Our Loyal Pool Members:
We hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather and looking forward to having a great summer at the pool. The pool commission and pool staff continue to be extremely pro-active and will be ready to operate safely once we get the go-ahead from Governor Murphy. While no guidance has been shared yet, we anticipate some news very soon.
In the spirit of good faith and respect to our membership, we want to keep you as updated as possible. We do not want any lack of communication to lead to misinformation or unnecessary anxiety. While we wait for direction from the Governor, here is the most current information we have:
Thanks and stay safe!
Gary Bach, Director
Ramsey Pool Commission (Kathleen Hewitt, Ed Jost, Hilary Meyer, Mary Ann Mauer, Susy Suarez, Kate Hoffman)
To Our Loyal Pool Members:
We hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather and looking forward to having a great summer at the pool. The pool commission and pool staff continue to be extremely pro-active and will be ready to operate safely once we get the go-ahead from Governor Murphy. While no guidance has been shared yet, we anticipate some news very soon.
In the spirit of good faith and respect to our membership, we want to keep you as updated as possible. We do not want any lack of communication to lead to misinformation or unnecessary anxiety. While we wait for direction from the Governor, here is the most current information we have:
- Community Pass will not be active until we are 100% certain we can open
- The “Early Bird” rate special (same price as 2019) is extended to July 1st
- For those concerned about social distancing at the pool, once the Governor decrees guidelines, we will have policies in place and we will be very transparent with how we will operate
- In regards to questions about pro-rated discounts:
- In spite of state mandates for an increased minimum wage for employees and unforeseen Covid related prevention costs, we will maintain the same rates as long as we can open by July 1st
- Sufficient membership is necessary revenue for pool operation and functioning
- We have to be shrewd with our finances, but we will still offer a great value to our members
Thanks and stay safe!
Gary Bach, Director
Ramsey Pool Commission (Kathleen Hewitt, Ed Jost, Hilary Meyer, Mary Ann Mauer, Susy Suarez, Kate Hoffman)
Letter to the Governor
6/1/2020
Office of Governor Phil Murphy PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625
RE: Safely Re-opening Municipal Pools for Essential Activities in New Jersey
Dear Governor Murphy:
My name is Gary Bach and I am the director of the Ramsey Municipal Pool, located in Bergen County. I am also a resident of Ramsey, so I take special pride in my job, but with that also comes extra pressure from my beloved community.
I am seeking your advocacy to allow the safe re-opening of municipal pools in New Jersey. The reasons are simple; swimming saves lives, promotes physical and mental health, and can be safely integrated in the states’ reopening plans. Local pools strengthen community bonds, are a valuable and convenient amenity, provide revenue, and create ample jobs opportunities for teens. All of this can be done while observing social distance practices.
The American Red Cross, CDC and USA Swimming have all provided extensive guidance on the reopening and program operations within all of the state’s executive orders and guidelines. Proper maintenance and usage of chemicals in the water kill the virus, sunlight decreases the viability of the virus, there is a lower degree of transmission outdoors, and we have the ability to social distance by limiting crowding at the point of entry.
As the director, it is my job to oversee the safe operation of the pool. This season will be very different, and the job will be difficult, but I owe it to my town to do my best. As a member of the North Jersey Pool Manager’s Association, I have shared our ideas and recommendations with you, however we are still waiting to hear back. We can be a great resource and are willing to help.
It is great to see that most beaches are now open, and we here in North Jersey would like to provide similar recreational opportunities. We have been patient and time is critical; it’s understandable that we can’t open tomorrow, but please know it takes weeks to prepare the pool and train our staff, so we would appreciate some direction. Like most pool managers, I too, am an educator and coach. Needless to say, I have seen firsthand how this pandemic has created extreme angst for my students and their families. If we are able to open, even in a limited capacity, it would go a long way for our small communities. I appreciate your time and I am ready to do my job!
Sincerely,
Gary F. Bach Jr.
Director Ramsey Municipal Pool
Office of Governor Phil Murphy PO Box 001 Trenton, NJ 08625
RE: Safely Re-opening Municipal Pools for Essential Activities in New Jersey
Dear Governor Murphy:
My name is Gary Bach and I am the director of the Ramsey Municipal Pool, located in Bergen County. I am also a resident of Ramsey, so I take special pride in my job, but with that also comes extra pressure from my beloved community.
I am seeking your advocacy to allow the safe re-opening of municipal pools in New Jersey. The reasons are simple; swimming saves lives, promotes physical and mental health, and can be safely integrated in the states’ reopening plans. Local pools strengthen community bonds, are a valuable and convenient amenity, provide revenue, and create ample jobs opportunities for teens. All of this can be done while observing social distance practices.
The American Red Cross, CDC and USA Swimming have all provided extensive guidance on the reopening and program operations within all of the state’s executive orders and guidelines. Proper maintenance and usage of chemicals in the water kill the virus, sunlight decreases the viability of the virus, there is a lower degree of transmission outdoors, and we have the ability to social distance by limiting crowding at the point of entry.
As the director, it is my job to oversee the safe operation of the pool. This season will be very different, and the job will be difficult, but I owe it to my town to do my best. As a member of the North Jersey Pool Manager’s Association, I have shared our ideas and recommendations with you, however we are still waiting to hear back. We can be a great resource and are willing to help.
It is great to see that most beaches are now open, and we here in North Jersey would like to provide similar recreational opportunities. We have been patient and time is critical; it’s understandable that we can’t open tomorrow, but please know it takes weeks to prepare the pool and train our staff, so we would appreciate some direction. Like most pool managers, I too, am an educator and coach. Needless to say, I have seen firsthand how this pandemic has created extreme angst for my students and their families. If we are able to open, even in a limited capacity, it would go a long way for our small communities. I appreciate your time and I am ready to do my job!
Sincerely,
Gary F. Bach Jr.
Director Ramsey Municipal Pool
Letter from the Director and Pool Commission
5/11/2020
To Our Loyal Pool Members:
We hope everyone had a special Mother’s Day. While our summer status is still in limbo, we have been extremely pro-active and will be ready to operate safely once we get the go-ahead. While there are still many unknowns, we are prepping the logistics to give you a fun and safe summer at the pool!
Governor Murphy has yet to make a decision in regards to Town Pools, but I have been in close contact with his office, even offering them a plan to open amid Covid-19. I have been educating myself on what needs to be done, and have been involved in weekly zoom meetings with the NJPMA and NJPRA. I have recently received some guidance from the CDC in regards to opening public aquatic venues, which is favorable news. I am also in constant communication with our Mayor and Council, Safety Officials, and Health Department. I, along with the Pool Commission, want to give you a safe summer at the pool, but we may have to adapt a few things for the year.
We anticipate the Governor will make a decision soon, and due to his extended restrictions, and the time needed to prepare the facilities and train the staff, we still remain hopeful to open in early July. Again, things can change depending on what the Governor decides, but that is our optimistic aiming point. We do plan to tack on days in September to make up for ones that are lost.
Though nothing is set in stone, here are some examples of what may need to happen in order for us to operate due to social distancing and other new regulations:
Since we may have to make modifications to our policies, we have temporarily shut down Community Pass. We want to be transparent and don’t want you to register if you are not comfortable. Once we get some good news, Community Pass will be reactivated and the Early Bird will be extended to July 1st.
We will continue to provide accurate information as efficiently as possible. Please know we are just as eager for Summer 2020 as you are. We appreciate your patience during these unprecedented times and hope to see you soon.
Thanks and stay safe!
Gary Bach, Director
Ramsey Pool Commission (Kathleen Hewitt, Ed Jost, Hilary Meyer, Mary Ann Mauer, Susy Suarez, Kate Hoffman)
To Our Loyal Pool Members:
We hope everyone had a special Mother’s Day. While our summer status is still in limbo, we have been extremely pro-active and will be ready to operate safely once we get the go-ahead. While there are still many unknowns, we are prepping the logistics to give you a fun and safe summer at the pool!
Governor Murphy has yet to make a decision in regards to Town Pools, but I have been in close contact with his office, even offering them a plan to open amid Covid-19. I have been educating myself on what needs to be done, and have been involved in weekly zoom meetings with the NJPMA and NJPRA. I have recently received some guidance from the CDC in regards to opening public aquatic venues, which is favorable news. I am also in constant communication with our Mayor and Council, Safety Officials, and Health Department. I, along with the Pool Commission, want to give you a safe summer at the pool, but we may have to adapt a few things for the year.
We anticipate the Governor will make a decision soon, and due to his extended restrictions, and the time needed to prepare the facilities and train the staff, we still remain hopeful to open in early July. Again, things can change depending on what the Governor decides, but that is our optimistic aiming point. We do plan to tack on days in September to make up for ones that are lost.
Though nothing is set in stone, here are some examples of what may need to happen in order for us to operate due to social distancing and other new regulations:
- Lower Max Occupancy by 50%
- No group swim lessons
- Uncertain on private lessons
- No Fab Fridays/Late night swims
- Time Blocks/Shifts (10-12p, 1-4p, 5-7p)
- Allows every family a chance to attend the pool once per day
- Helps with spreading people out
- Gives us the opportunity to sanitize everything
- No lap swimming during middle block to maximize pool space
- No guests allowed on weekends/holidays
- Require a waiver or lab test results per family
- Temperature testing upon entry
- No new non-resident members
Since we may have to make modifications to our policies, we have temporarily shut down Community Pass. We want to be transparent and don’t want you to register if you are not comfortable. Once we get some good news, Community Pass will be reactivated and the Early Bird will be extended to July 1st.
We will continue to provide accurate information as efficiently as possible. Please know we are just as eager for Summer 2020 as you are. We appreciate your patience during these unprecedented times and hope to see you soon.
Thanks and stay safe!
Gary Bach, Director
Ramsey Pool Commission (Kathleen Hewitt, Ed Jost, Hilary Meyer, Mary Ann Mauer, Susy Suarez, Kate Hoffman)