photo by: Nick Krug/Journal-World File Photo

The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, pictured Thursday, July 7, 2016.

The Lawrence outdoor pool will remain closed for the summer under the city’s phased reopening plan for parks and recreation facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the city’s plan, the Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., and the South Park wading pool will remain closed this summer. Community pools could technically be allowed to open under phase three of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s reopening plan, which currently is scheduled to begin no earlier than June 8, but they would have to follow mass gathering limits of 45 people. The earliest gathering restrictions would lift is June 22.

Parks and Recreation Director Derek Rogers said that the decision to keep the outdoor pools closed was made for health, budget and logistical reasons, as staff for the outdoor pools are seasonal employees and the hiring and training process takes six weeks.

Only the city’s Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive, will be open this summer, but for limited use, according to the city’s plan. The plan calls for the indoor pool to open in phase three of Kelly’s reopening plan. Only the indoor pool’s lap swimming and water fitness classes will resume at that time, with the wading and water slide area remaining closed.