Pool opening in jeopardy

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City swimming pool may not open this summer.

That’s because Gov. Ricketts announced that public pools must be remain closed until July 15 due to COVID-19 health emergency, City Manager Nate Schneider told the McCook City Council Monday night.

Schneider cited difficulty in hiring pool employees for such a short amount of time. Schools in the area typically open by mid-August. He said an item will be presented at the next council meeting about opening the city pool this year.

Schneider also told the council that the city has submitted an application for a grant from the federal stimulus CARE Act, that was approved by Congress for financial relief due to COVID-19. The grant is for $30,000 for operating expenses at the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport.

The city also applied for a grant from the McCook Community Foundation for $1,232, for personal protective equipment for the city fire department.