Outdoor family swim is back at Bend’s Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, with changes

(Update: adding video, comments)

Limited capacity , advance reservations, regular cleanings - but still fun

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Just in time for more warm summer weather, outdoor family swim at the Juniper Swim at Fitness Center is officially back, as of Friday.

The outdoor pool's family swim area of the center had been closed off by the Bend Park and Recreation District since March 15, due to COVID-19.

As you'd expect, there are a number of new guidelines that include social distancing and online reservations. Capacity has been limited to 50 people, more chlorine is being added to the pool, locker rooms are off limits and social distancing is highly encouraged.

“There are 12-foot circles, with six feet between all of the circles," said Clare Gordon, the facility supervisor. "Each circle is spaced for a family of four. People are using them really well, and there is enough room so that you can walk in between them without getting in anyone’s area.”  

The biggest change though, is the new time slots that people now have to reserve. There will be three to four 80-minute family swim times each day, Mondays through Saturdays.

In between those swim times, there will be a 20-minute cleaning period so the staff can wipe down parts of the pool and tables.

Online advance registration also is a first for Juniper Swim and Fitness Center, which is something visitors will have to get used to.

“I don’t know," visitor Emily McMillian said. "We are iffy on tha,t because when we come to Juniper, we stay for like four hours. It’s like an all-day event, basically.”

While the new registration and time slots are not universally liked, there is a positive: Fewer people means more time on the facility's biggest attraction for many: the slide.

“Well, there isn’t so many people, so we get to go on the slide," young swimmer Emma Wilson said. "The slide is the best part.”

Registration for Friday's and Saturday's swimming times were reserved within 24 hours. That's a trend Gordon expects to see throughout the summer.

For more information and how to reserve a time: https://www.bendparksandrec.org/fitness-swim/summer-reopening-facility-modifications/recreation-swim-reservations/