Pools Open, Closed For Memorial Day Swimming In Minnesota

MINNESOTA— Memorial Day doesn’t just mark the unofficial start of summer in Minnesota — it’s also the weekend most outdoor pools and aquatic centers open their doors for summer swimming and other warm-weather fun.

Last year, summer looked a lot different for Minnesota families as many area pools remained closed for the season to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus — a pandemic that, at the time, was just two months old.

But this Memorial Day — with more than 120 million Americans fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and weekly COVID-19-related deaths at a 14-month low — many pools will once again open this summer.

If you’re planning to soak up some sun this Memorial Day weekend, here are the pools and aquatic centers that will be open and closed in Minnesota:

• Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park, 1700 American Boulevard East, Bloomington MN 55425
  • Memorial Day weekend hours: Friday,10a.m.-8p.m.; Saturday, 10a.m.-8p.m.; Sunday, 10a.m.-8p.m., and Monday, 10a.m.-8p.m.
  • According to the website, hot tubs will be closed due to COVID-19 precautions.
• Venetian Indoor Water Park, 11801 Fountains Way, North Maple Grove, MN 55369
  • Memorial Day weekend hours: Friday, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-noon, and Monday, CLOSED.
  • Each hotel room comes with five wristbands.
  • Guests who are sick are asked to stay out of the pool, and each guest much shower before entering the pool
• Cascade Bay Water Park, 1360 Civic Center Drive, Eagan, MN 55122
  • Closed until June 11
• Bloomington Family Aquatic Center, 201 E. 90th Street, Bloomington, MN
• Closed until June 5
• Richfield Outdoor Pool, 630 East 66th Street, Richfield, MN 55423
  • Closed until June 11

There is no scientific evidence that COVID-19 can spread to others through water in pools, hot tubs, water playgrounds or other treated aquatic venues, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

While no data exists on how COVID-19 responds to chlorine, the chemical has been known to inactivate similar viruses.

But going to a public pool involves more than swimming, and that’s where the risk can be found.

Assessing that out-of-water risk involves looking at several variables, according to MIT Medical, which suggest people should avoid the “three C’s” — closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places with many people nearby, and close-contact settings, such as close-range conversation.

Fortunately, being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation also reduces the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, according to the CDC. However, due to Minnesota's crazy weather, most outdoor pools aren't open until mid-June.

Patch advises caution when visiting the listed indoor waterparks.

See also: Memorial Day History: 5 Things To Know As Fallen Vets Are Honored