photo by: City of Lawrence

Stations for hand washing clothes are set up at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., in an effort to provide services, including a place to shower, to community members in need. The first availability of the new service will be 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

The City of Lawrence will be allowing people in need to use the showers at the city’s Outdoor Aquatic Center beginning Wednesday afternoon.

The city said in an announcement that it would be opening the showers to help address the needs of all members of the community. The city previously had showers open to the public at its recreation centers, but recreation facilities have been closed to the public due to health orders to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The announcement said that the Parks and Recreation Department is opening up the Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday so people in need can take showers. There will also be space to hand wash clothing. The post indicated that toiletries such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes were being provided by Lawrence Family Promise, a nonprofit which serves homeless families.

City spokesperson Porter Arneill said the showers will be open on a regular basis going forward, and a schedule would be announced soon. Arneill said staff is working out logistics but the intention is to provide the service once or twice per week depending on staff, resources, weather and the duration of the pandemic.