Oakland Mayor Brant Miller issued a letter to residents on Thursday stating that following a special session of the City Council on Wednesday night, the decision has been made to not open the city pool for the 2020 season.  The closure is not necessarily due to the pandemic but due to a lack of lifeguard applicants to operate the pool this season.

The city advertised for lifeguards for nearly a three month period and only received three applications. Miller said, “We cannot safely operate the pool with only three guards. It was our intention to open the pool and follow CDC guidelines for disinfection in relation to the COVID-19 virus.”

After discussion the council voted 5-0 to close the pool for the 2020 season due to lack of guards to safely operate the pool. Miller said it is the goal of the council and himself to resume normal pool operation in the summer of 2021.