NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City Parks Commissioner Patrick Wehling reported good news for the Steinhart Park Aquatic Center this summer as the state has relaxed  gathering restrictions for pools from an expected 50 people to allow up to 25 percent of total occupancy.

For Nebraska City, that increases the number of possible pool users from 50 to 115.

Recreation Director Scooter Edmisten proposed two, three-hour shifts to allow up to 230 swimmers per day. He said the pool averaged around 350 swimmers per day last year.

Edmisten: “I guess our thought is we would like to get as many of our local citizens the opportunity to swim as possible. There are going to be fewer pools in the area that are open, so it may draw more from outside the local as normal. We draw from outside of the area anyway.”

City Attorney Drew Graham said the city needs to ensure that there are not large groups of people standing outside the gate waiting for admittance to the pool.

The council approved a 25 percent discount on season passes and set the daily rate for three-hour sessions at $5 for adults and $4 for youth.

The link for the online registration can be found on the Steinhart Aquatic Center Facebook page.