photo by: City of Lawrence

The showers at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center will be open regularly during the coronavirus pandemic for use by people in need, the city has announced.

Facilities at Lawrence’s downtown pool will be open twice this week in an effort to provide people in need a place to shower and hand-wash clothing.

The City of Lawrence’s Parks and Recreation Department will open the Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., on Tuesday and Thursday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting, the city said over the weekend in a post on social media.

The city previously had showers open to the public at its recreation centers, but recreation facilities have been closed to the public because of health orders to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.

When the city first opened the outdoor pool’s facilities for showers last week, a city spokesperson said the intention was to provide the service on a regular basis going forward — once or twice per week depending on staff, resources, weather and the duration of the pandemic. The latest dates and times for the service have been posted on a sign outside the facility.