Bloomington pools closed for summer; Miller Park 4th of July festivities canceled

Posted on May 8, 2020
Holiday and O’Neil pools will be closed this summer due to the coronaviurs, according to the city of Bloomington. (Facebook/Bloomington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Both of Bloomington’s public pools will be closed this summer and 4th of July festivities at Miller Park have been canceled due to the coronavirus.

According to a news release Friday, Holiday and O’Neil pools will be closed this year, and while O’Neil is closed, the 46-year-old facility will undergo an update.

“In every challenge there is an opportunity,” said city manager Tim Gleason. “The guidelines that are here and the ones we know are likely coming due to COVID-19, combined with the condition of O’Neil Pool, made this a no-brainer. Let’s have a big win for the community out of this.”

Demolition of O’Neil could begin as early as June, according to the city. The scope and design of the new O’Neil facility has yet to be determined, along with total project cost. Design work is budgeted for this fiscal year in the amount of $738,000 The bidding process for design could also begin as early as June. Final completion date for the project is also yet to be determined.

Activities for 4th of July at Miller Park have been canceled to encourage social distancing. This includes performances of “Celebrate America” and the fireworks display.

Meanwhile, registration for parks, recreation, and cultural arts programs begins May 20 for residents and May 27 for non-residents.

“We’re taking time to figure out what summer programming will look like with any COVID-19 guidelines,” said parks, recreation, and cultural arts director Jay Tetzloff, “but there will be programming.”

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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