It was announced that the Dublin City Pool will have stricter guidelines to adhere to new state guidelines as the pool sets to open Saturday, May 27.
Chief among the new rules is that any child under 14 must have adult supervision when in the pool. (Lifeguards under 18 do not count as adult supervision.) City Manager Bobby Mendez reported at Monday night’s City Council meeting that the new regulations related to state guidelines which took effect on Jan. 1, 2023 although adopted earlier.
Other new rules dictated by state guidelines include no diving at any time and prohibition of extended breath holding activities.
The rules were also updated in regards reasons that someone may be denied entry into the pool to include specific illnesses. Guests may be denied entry for any of the following reasons: ■ Intoxication. No alcohol at the park or inside the pool area. Lifeguards are permitted to check all coolers, bags and any containers
■ Open sores, wounds, skin infections, and nasal or ear discharge. Do not swim if you have been ill with diarrhea within the past 2 weeks.
■ Any condition or evidence, which in the opinion of the Head Lifeguard or designee will jeopardize the health and safety of other guests. Regular hours for the pool will be Wednesdays through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Late hours are being offered on Tuesdays with the pool open from noon until 8 p.m.
The regular price this year will be $3 per person per day. Children two and under and non-swimmers can enter for free. Season passes are available for $60 per person; family packs for four are available for $130. For families larger than four members, additional passes may be purchased for $30 each.
Pool parties are available in nightly two ($120) and four hour ($240) blocks Tuesday through Sunday. These prices cover two lifeguards for up to 50 swimmers. It is an additional $30 per 25 swimmers.
Call (254) 445-3331 for more information and availability.
The pool was further addressed in the council meeting as Mendez and City Secretary Melissa Minor offered several options that the city could extend to Dairy Queen for the free swim day the business sponsors every year. City staff expressed a desire for extra security on the day of the event so proposals included the addition of an officer during the event or the possibility of providing a limited amount of vouchers for DQ to provide to the public.
The council also unanimously approved (minus the absent Keegan McInroe) to move forward with an easement with Dublin Bottling Works to construct a 25-foot awning extending over the alleyway from the building to Celebration Park. No parts of the construction will be in the roadway. DBW was seeking the construction as it plans to expand the park as a venue.
Council also unanimously approved moving forward with the request to purchase an undeveloped right-of-way between two properties on the west side of town which have the same owner. Mendez reported that the undeveloped roadway doesn’t have any other adjoining property with other owners.
The council voted to move forward with a request for the purchase of undeveloped rights-of-way behind First National Bank near the storage buildings currently being expanded. With multiple property owners adjoining, each will be informed about the potential to purchase.
Council members also unanimously approved Bruce Shelton as a reserve officer for Dublin PD at the recommendation of Chief Cameron Ray. Shelton is the son of Erath County Fire Marshal Tommy Shelton who bring military experience as he seeks to get some local experience as an officer as time allows. He’s planning to become a Federal officer and helps with civilian affair overseas.