Update 10/7/22 – Dan Flannery Pool
10/7/22 Communication
The Ames Community School District is excited to announce that we have received authorization from the Iowa Department of Public Health to immediately reopen the Dan Flannery Pool at Ames High School.
The IDPH reviewed the required project permits, building plans, and conducted a thorough inspection of the pool. To ensure swimmer safety, we are implementing a new set of approved rules, processes, and procedures during pool operation.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our students, families, and community for your patience during this adversity. We would also like to thank the Iowa Department of Public Health for their guidance and urgency in supporting us to resolve this matter.
10/3/22 Communication
The Ames Community School District continues to work with its partners and the Iowa Department of Public Health as it relates to the Dan Flannery Pool at Ames High School. Since our last update, all documents have been submitted, and plans have been reviewed. An inspection was completed on September 27. We are complying with all requests and are presently awaiting approval from IDPH to reopen the pool.
As we work to restore access, the Ames CSD is also working to better understand the source of the errors that caused this operational pause. We understand the frustration of our community and know there are questions surrounding the pool reopening and rescheduled dedication event. We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of all teams involved and for having such invested families, students, and community members. Your patience is genuinely appreciated.
9/19/22 Communication
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, the Ames Community School District received a cease and desist order from the Iowa Department of Public Health for the operation of the Dan Flannery Pool at Ames High School. Since that time, we have been collaborating daily with our partners for resolution. IDPH is in receipt of pertinent documents and is reviewing them. We have no reason to believe the facility is unsafe and expect the issue to be resolved quickly. We are meeting with Story Construction and the pool contractor to learn from the errors that occurred.
Until a resolution is reached, our Ames High Girls Swim team will be transported by the District to Boone High School for practice. In an effort to minimize further disruption and allow families and community members time to plan accordingly, the Dan Flannery Pool dedication event has been postponed. We will communicate the rescheduled date at a later time. We apologize to our families and community for any inconvenience this may have caused.
9/14/22 Communication
This evening, the Ames Community School District received a notice from the Iowa Department of Public Health and Human Services (IDPH) to cease and desist operation of the Dan Flannery Pool at Ames High School due to construction, permitting, inspection, and registration questions. We are in cooperation with the IDPH and have contacted our construction partners to ensure the matter is resolved as quickly as possible.
In accordance with the order, the pool will be closed immediately until further notice. We remain committed to our facilities and will communicate regularly to keep you updated regarding progress toward the pool’s reopening.