Avon Lake anticipates parades, fireworks show, pool opening this summer

AVON LAKE — City officials in Avon Lake have their eyes set on warmer and safer days ahead, with plans calling for the pool, parks and recreation programming, the July 4 fireworks display and all parades to run somewhat normally this summer. That is the plan, unless the state says otherwise or the COVID-19 situation is worse than is projected, said Mayor Greg Zilka. "Things could change," he cautioned. "The variant of COVID seems to be raising its ugly head and we don't know where that is going to take us." But assuming the virus is on the decline as the beginning of June approaches, the city believes it should be safer for people to "begin to gather outside again being conscious of social distancing" and probably wearing masks, Zilka said. He was advised by county Health Commissioner David Covell that June 1 may be about when these activities are safer. And even though Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May, Zilka said Avon Lake was advised that its annual parade should be OK to proceed. Some safety measures could be in effect during the parade, like social distancing recommendations and a ban on throwing candy, but the key difference from last year is that the parade will happen in person. The Ellen Trivanovich Aquatic Center is also expected to open in a limited capacity this summer. Details have not yet been announced, but the pool's website projects a June 4 opening date. The city demonstrated its confidence that recreation programming is heading in a more normal direction when City Council approved the hiring of Jacqueline Hoffman as program manager in the Recreation Department on Monday. Councilman K.C. Zuber, at-large, said her hiring was a long time coming after the previous program manager left the post in early 2020. "This has been a position that has been vacant for almost a year during COVID," Zuber said. "… We have determined at this point in time, this is the best time to bring her on." Hoffman will work full time and earn $25.51 per hour, according to Zuber. Recreation Director Tim Pinchek told Council the department is excited to bring Hoffman on board and get to work on programming. "We are at the point now where we are ramping up for the summer, anticipating all programs on as normal," Pinchek said. "We are very hopeful. We are planning Safety Town and summer camp and a couple other new classes, horse riding lessons, a boxing class." The virus probably will still be around in summer, but Zilka believes the city can still provide some safe ways for residents to enjoy the season, like it did last year with a series of socially distanced outdoor concerts. "We think we can have a middle ground here," he said. "We're not going to have everything, but we think we can do most things." Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.