Will Utica And Rome City Swimming Pools Open For 2021?

In the cities of Utica and Rome New York, will city swimming pools open for summer of 2021?

So far, WKTV is reporting that the City of Utica is planning on opening up swimming pools at 33% capacity, and the City of Rome is struggling to find teens and adults to work the pools for the summer.

Assistant Recreation Director Chet LoConti says the City of Utica has come up with a plan: accommodate those on a first come first serve basis, but giving those left out a chance to swim the following day.

"We’re going to call all the agencies that usually come, they do break a chunk of the people that come in. We’re going to allow them to come in the morning from 10-12:00. We’re not going to do swim lessons which we’ve done in the past. So all the agencies will get a pool to pick, and a time to pick, and then the residents of Utica will be able to come from 1-5:00."

The City of Rome, just like Utica, can’t find enough lifeguards:

"I guess kids just don’t want to work anymore. I really don’t know what it is, but I do find them every year. I do get just enough, but this year’s even more of a struggle."

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State Health Department Regulations Are Another Challenge

If both cities can find lifeguards, the next issue they will deal with is the actual swimming:

1) People in the pool will need to be 6 feet apart in maximum groups of 10.

2) People will need to be ,asked up once they leave the pool.

3) Everything will need to be sanitized throughout the day, if pools are open.

How To Apply To Be A Lifeguard

If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard for Rome, learn more online here.

If you're interested in becoming a lifeguard for Utica, go here under the youth bureau department.

From A to Z: Rome Restaurants You Need To Try At Least Once

From A to Z, here's just some of the restaurants in Rome that you need to try at least once.

Gallery Credit: Kaylin

From A to Z: Utica Restaurants You Need To Try At Least Once

This following list is a great resource if you're looking for some new places to try, or if you're just looking for some place to start. This list is strictly restaurants in Utica New York. Not the Utica area or surrounding towns, but Utica New York. We took submissions from all over social media to build this list. We will have other lists for other parts of our region to showcase next. But right now, let's focus on Utica:

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler

Take A Look Inside The Abandoned ShoppingTown Mall In Dewitt, NY

Onondaga County currently owns the ShoppingTown Mall located in Dewitt New York near the Syracuse area. As of today, the mall is abandoned. The future of the building will go to someone who has the best vision for it. Onondaga County has issued an official request for proposals (RFP) for ShoppingTown Mall. The property will be resold to the buyer with the best plan for revitalizing the vacant property.

Proposers will need to have a demonstrated history of producing "high quality projects," according to the statement. They will also need to produce financial information related to the project."

Jordan Harmon was able to tour the property and take plenty of photos recently with permission from Onondaga County:

The main purpose of this shoot was to document this historical structure before any alterations occur. I grew up with this mall, I can remember coming here as a kid. This was the place my family did our back to school shopping and the place where I’d blow my allowance at Fun Junction playing laser tag. To see it now is shocking to say the least. The former owner of the mall clearly made no effort to maintain it, let alone stop the hundreds of leaks in the roof.

Gallery Credit: Jordan Harmon via @j_harmonphoto on Instagram

Source: Will The City Of Utica And City Of Rome City Swimming Pools Open For 2021?