App to Provide Capacity Updates for Park Forest, Welch Pools

Welch and Park Forest community pool patrons will be able to use an app to get updates on capacities at both locations this summer, Centre Region Parks and Recreation announced on Friday.

Both pools will open for the season on Saturday with a number of changes and safety protocols in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those include operating at 50 percent capacity for both pools. Welch’s maximum capacity this summer will be 350 and Park Forest’s will be 175.

To get updates on capacity at the pools, Android and iPhone users can sign up for the Remind app by going to rmd.at/poolcap. Those without a smartphone can text @poolcap to 81010 or sign up for email updates at remind.com/join/poolcap.

Alerts will be sent as the pools reaches half of the allowed limits. Alerts will continue approximately every 30 minutes as the capacity numbers change or until the pool is at full capacity. As soon as additional swimmers can enter the pool, alerts will be shared through the app.

Pool staff also will announce inclement weather delays and closings through the app.

‘If capacity becomes an issue as the season begins, the Agency will look at instituting a timed swim system,’ a CRPR news release said.

The current schedule for both pools is:

Weekdays

– Fitness & Lap Swim:  7-9 a.m.

– Lap Swim & Family Time (children 10 & under):  9 a.m.-noon

– General Swim:  Noon – 8 p.m.

Weekends and Holidays

– Adult Lap Swim & Toddler Time (children 3 & under):  10 a.m.-noon

– General Swim:  Noon-8 p.m.

For other changes at the pools and fees, visit www.crpr.org/aquatics.