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County swimming pools in Prince William to reopen, short on lifeguards

Just days before the unofficial start to summer, Prince William County announced it will open its government-run swimming pools this year after shuttering them last year due to the pandemic.

The county plans to reopen both of its waterparks, and at least four of its outdoor pools, located in the eastern section of the county.

The reopening comes as the county faces a shortage of 50 lifeguards.

Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin reports:

— We plan to open Waterworks on Saturday, May 29 for Memorial Day weekend, followed by weekends only until mid-June when school lets out.

–We plan to open Graham Park Pool and Birchdale Pool on Saturday, June 5, followed by weekends only until mid-June when school lets out.

–We plan to open SplashDown and Veterans Park Pool on Saturday, June 12, assuming lifeguard availability. SplashDown will open for swim team practice only beginning Saturday, June 7th.

Hammill Mill pool is undergoing structural repairs and will not open until mid-July, at the earliest. There is a possibility it will not open. Veteran’s Park pool will cover the gap in service for that area of the county.

— All facilities will be open from 12 pm-6 pm.

–The reduced hours of operations will allow us to open more sites for the summer, but the minimum number of staff means extra activities like after-hours rentals and typical swim team schedules cannot be accommodated.

— We will be accommodating swim teams for practices and competitions on a modified basis.
All appropriate COVID mitigation measures for employee and visitors will be established, as applicable, in accordance to the most current state and local regulations as well as CXO policies.

–All summer staff (currently eligible for the vaccine) are encouraged to schedule their vaccine appointments during onboarding.

— Lifeguards will have additional COVID-19 personal protective equipment such as viral filters for CPR masks, which were not available last summer.

Franklin says lifeguards are paid between $11 and $24 an hour. Each received paid training, said Franklin.

Several other neighboring jurisdictions, including Stafford County, and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park are also reopening their government-managed swimming pools this weekend.

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Join us on Friday, January 10, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m., with a special Ribbon Cutting at 2 p.m. Be inspired by keynote speaker Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation while enjoying a light reception featuring classic Fredericksburg favorites.

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Planet Fitness opened its first location in Stafford. The new 30,900-square-foot facility, located at 1455 Stafford Market Place in the Stafford Market Place shopping center, is designed to provide a welcoming, judgment-free environment for individuals at all fitness levels.

The building used to house a Best Buy that announced its closure one year ago after 16 years in business. Our coverage of the closure was some of the most-read content on Potomac Local News in 2024.

The Stafford location features state-of-the-art equipment, including strength machines, free weights, a dedicated area for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and a functional training room with turf for agility exercises. Members can also access amenities such as fully equipped locker rooms with showers, a mobility and stretching space, and free WiFi.

A highlight of the facility is the Black Card Spa, available to those who pay for a higher membership tier. The spa includes Hydro Massage Loungers, massage chairs, recovery loungers, and salon-grade tanning beds, offering members an opportunity to relax and recover post-workout.

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A 44-year-old man found himself back at Rappahannock Regional Jail after making a false report and harassing a jail officer with obscene phone calls. Initially, deputies responded to a call about a death and gunshot outside the jail, which turned out to be false. The suspect, located at a local motel, was arrested and charged with using obscene language and filing a false report.

Assault
– Marion Manor Nursing Home: A staff member assaulted another during a disagreement. The suspect was charged with assault and battery and held without bond.
– Shasta Place: A male suspect bit the victim during a verbal altercation. He was charged with assault and battery but released on personal recognizance.

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Deputies discovered a car in a ditch on Courthouse Road. The driver admitted to drinking beer, with three empty cans found in her vehicle. She was charged with DUI, drinking while driving, and refusal, and held on a $3,000 bond.

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Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:

Spotsylvania County Public Schools

Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.

Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
Essential personnel will report at specified times.
All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled.

King George County Public Schools

King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.

Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
Liberal leave will be in effect.

We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.

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