Shawnee County continues reopening with relaxed mask rules, Spirit of Kansas fireworks show

Shawnee County Parks + Recreation, which opened community centers, Gage Park mini-train and carousel on June 1, will now open pools and aquatic centers as of June 22. SCP+R has three major aquatic centers and four community pools. They will also go on with the Spirit of Kansas Fireworks Display.

Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center, Midwest Health Aquatic Center and Shawnee North Family Aquatic Center are open Noon-7 p.m. Community pools are open Noon-5 p.m.  Repairs are being made to Rossville Community Pool which is expected to open soon.

As Shawnee County remains in Phase 3, these facilities will open at 50 percent capacity. All aquatic facilities will have a “safety break” every hour on the hour so staff can disinfect commonly touched areas such as railings, slides and diving boards. Restrooms will be cleaned every half hour. Patrons may ask staff to disinfect lounge chairs before patrons use them. Aquatic centers and pools w cleaned every morning and evening as well.

The decision has also been made to move ahead with the Spirit of Kansas Fireworks Display on July 4 at Lake Shawnee. A car show kicks off the day at 8:30 a.m. at Shelters 4 and 5 in Tinman Circle. Spirit of Kansas golf tournaments are set for 10 a.m. at Lake Shawnee and Cypress Ridge golf courses.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be a Blues Festival or craft vendors and there will be no boat and water ski show. Also, there will be no shuttle buses running from Rueger Softball Complex to Lake Shawnee and back.

The fireworks display starts at 10 p.m. WIBW-13 will live-stream the display on wibw.com and patrons watching the display live may listen to Majic 107.7 to hear the patriotic soundtrack to which the display is choreographed.

The fireworks display will be an all aerial display this year. There will be no ground-based fireworks normally launched from a dock on Lake Shawnee. This eliminates the need for viewers to crowd close to the shoreline of the lake to see the ground-based display.

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Recreation programs have been phased in as follows:

• Fitness Pass classes such as yoga resumed June 15.
• Preschool Summer Fun resumed June 15.
• Drop-in programs resume June 22.
• Dance, tumbling, Kids Zumba and Martial Arts will begin the first week of July.

Other amenities open include rental facilities, with a mass gathering limit of 45 people.

Other Shawnee County rule changes as of June 22 include no masks required at retail stores, while the rule remains in effect for restaurants, bars and personal service establishments.

For guidance on childcare go here.

For county aquatics information visit https://bit.ly/poolsopenjune22. Other information including a list of facilities, admission prices, lessons and rentals may be found online at parks.snco.us.

–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice

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