The difficult decision to close pools for 2020 has been made by the Urbana and Champaign Park Districts
Area families will be unable to splish splash through the summer at Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center or Sholem Aquatic Center
The Urbana Park District has announced it will not open Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center this summer, and all programs and camps are cancelled through July 31.
The Champaign Park District will not open Sholem Aquatic Center. Members will be contacted with the option to transfer membership to summer 2021 or receive a refund. Meanwhile, its summer Day Camps will be modified to fit a virtual curriculum. No on-site programming will take place.
According to a statement posted on May 14 on the Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center Facebook page, “Urbana Park District will cancel programs and events through July 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be no summer pool season at Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center or Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center.
Both aquatic centers typically open on Memorial Day and remain open through Labor Day weekend.
Parks in both park districts are currently open, with playgrounds remaining closed for now. but users are reminded to stay off closed amenities like playgrounds, basketball courts, and volleyball courts. Tennis courts, disc golf (Champaign), and the dog park are newly reopened.
A statement made on the Urbana Park District website added more info about summer programming. On Facebook, they stated, “All park district programs are canceled through July 31. This includes camps, our pools, and other activities. We are heartbroken to have to do this, but safety is our highest priority.”
Other cancellations for Champaign Park District:
- Prairie Farm will not open for the 2020 season.
- Spring/Summer Adult softball leagues will be cancelled.
- All special events scheduled through Labor Day will be cancelled. This includes park concerts, Champaign-Urbana Days, and Taste of Champaign-Urbana, a festival that was set to celebrate 50 years this year.
- No pavilion or facility rentals will be accepted through Labor Day.
- The Virginia Theatre is scheduled for renovation work this summer to install a new sound system and will be closed to the public through September 30.
The Champaign Park District will issue refunds to anyone who has already paid for a canceled program.
Follow Champaign Park District on social media channels or email newsletter for information on virtual programming like esports Rocket League Championship (deadline May 15), Summer Youth Programs in a Bag (first deadline May 15), private tennis lessons, virtual watch parties, fun craft ideas, and more.
“We are disappointed to have to cancel most of our summer programming, but take our responsibility to the public seriously,” said Executive Director Joe DeLuce. “We want to remind everyone that the parks are still open and we encourage people to utilize the trails and green spaces near them as safely as possible.”
The Monticello Family Aquatic Center has also announced it will not open this summer.
For more information on summer camps, visit our summer camps guide and and our listing of cancelled and modified camps.