Pool set to reopen today

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Fort Scott Aquatic Center was closed Thursday, but it is slated to reopen at its normal time (1 p.m.) today, depending on the weather, city officials said.

Assistant City Manager Susan Brown said Thursday the facility was closed all day for cleaning due to an "unsanitary situation" that occurred late Wednesday at the pool, and due to the weather.

"We didn't meet the weather requirements," she said. "It has to be 70 degrees to open the pool."

Temperatures stayed in the 60s most of the day Thursday.

"We also had an unsanitary situation happen yesterday (Wednesday), so we had to chemically treat the pool," Brown added. "The chemical levels we use to clean the pool are so high that it is not safe for people to be in for 24 hours. We're sanitizing the pool."

Brown said staff took "preventative measures" after an accident that left fecal matter on the pool deck and pool area. She said sanitary conditions have to be extreme to close the pool for a day. Chemicals in the pool on a daily basis take care of most accidents.

City Manager Dave Martin said if any waste gets in the pool area, staff have to follow the right procedures to make sure the pool is safe for swimmers.

"We're doing our best to keep the pool clean," he said.

The 8,165-square-foot aquatic center opened Monday.

A grand opening and ribbon cutting event for the facility was scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m. today.