Much like public swimming pools in the area, private swim clubs are being forced to delay their summer season. Atlantis Swim Club, the Owensboro Country Club and Windridge Country Club said they’re currently estimating late June or early July openings.
Each establishment said there aren’t any clear answers yet, but they are all following the guidance of Gov. Andy Beshear in estimating their dates for opening.
“Unfortunately, public pools falls under operations run by communities, subdivisions, institutions, hotels, recreation areas, clubs and more,” said Owensboro Country Club General Manager Dane McLaird. “It encompasses everything unless you have your own pool in your backyard.”
Atlantis Swim Club owner Karen Jones echoed that statement, saying they had to postpone their opening date because they are “open to the public” — therefore, it’s regarded as a public pool, even though it’s a private swim club.
Normally, places like OCC and Atlantis would be looking forward to Memorial Day opening weekends. It’s been disappointing for Jones, who said she’s had customers calling regularly to inquire about when they will open.
Sharon Rickard, club manager at Windridge Country Club, said their member-owned organization is not considered public, but the board of directors made a decision Friday to follow the governor’s guidance in opening their pool — tentatively on June 22.
“I feel like that’s what we will try to open with,” she said. “The state has to issue us the permit to open. We submitted money for the permits, and they sent the money back. We have to wait. It’s kind of unprecedented.”
Jones said it’s stressful having to postpone their opening day at Atlantis. Even when they can resume operatins, it’ll likely involve limiting the number of guests and spacing out chairs so they’re six feet apart.
“I can’t give customers any definite answers because I don’t know,” she said. “We’re just hoping and praying we’re going to have some fun this summer.”
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