By Chris Simones

Gilley Pool reversed its no out-of-towners policy on Wednesday in an effort to boost the sagging attendance the pool is experiencing this summer. 

The policy allowing only Warren County residents into the pool was originally enacted in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. As of noon Wednesday, 53 pool-goers had passed through the gate.

“There’s really no way of knowing how many of our guests today are from out of town since we’re not requiring proof of residency to enter,” pool employee Beth Vaughn said.

Wednesday was also the first day the pool’s deck chairs had been put to use.

“We put out 100 chairs today,” said lifeguard Jacob Wrisner. The chairs will be thoroughly wiped down with a sanitizing solution between sessions.

The pool is still splitting operating hours into two sessions Monday through Saturday. The first session runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the second session lasts from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Separating the day into two sessions allows for a deep clean between the first and second sessions. Sunday the pool is open from 1 to 5 p.m.

The pool’s slides remain closed and pool employees don’t expect that to change.

“Honestly, it’s not feasible due to the effort it would take to sanitize the rails,” said city wellness coordinator Mari-Lynn Wilson. “The rails on the stairs leading up to the slide would have to be wiped after each person went down the slide. This would require the next person in line to wait at the bottom of the stairs instead of on the platform in front of the slide which is how it normally works.”

“I hope the crowds increase since we’ve made these changes,” Wrisner said. “I think they will.”