An inspector for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) closed down the Kewanee Park District swimming pool Monday after the state couldn’t verify that the license had been renewed. The issue of whether swimmers under 16 had to be accompanied by a parent or guardian only added to the confusion.

Executive Director of Parks Andrew Dwyer said he will have a phone conversation tomorrow with state officials to try to iron out the matter, but that the license paperwork was sent into the state on April 14, and he has the receipts that show that.

Dwyer said the inspector misspoke when he told the park district that no one under 16 was allowed to swim without a parent or guardian present. The rule, Dwyer said, refers to pools with no lifeguards. The park district has five lifeguards at all time.

“Our policy is that anyone 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible party ages 13 and older. Our policy will be what is used moving forward. We apologize for that error and would like to note staff were directed to comply with the state officer who gave us the information at time of inspection,” Dwyer said in a post on Facebook. Refunds were issued for swimmers following the closure.

Dwyer said the state inspection was unannounced and as far as he knew, the pool was properly licensed, and they were operating within the rules and guidelines.

“I’m working to resolve the confusion,” he said, “because according to (the inspector’s) paper, we’re compliant. It’s the license issue that I’m concerned about.”

Dwyer said the closing of the pool came about after the inspector found a few inaccuracies in their system. They had yet to receive an application even though the application was mailed several weeks prior to the April 30 deadline.

Whether the pool will open tomorrow afternoon is unknown at this time, said Dwyer, but the circumstances have been “confusing” and he hopes to know more after touching base with the state tomorrow.

“The administrative team is in communication with IDPH and our local state Senator and State Representative to resolve as soon as possible. We are hopeful to resolve this concern swiftly as we all want the pool open for everyone to enjoy,” Dwyer stated in a Facebook post.

He expects to update the community tomorrow on the situation.

The IDPH is responsible for the state’s 3,500 swimming facilities. It frequently inspects facilities to ensure they meet water quality and safety standards, including engineering design standards that apply to pools, spas, water supplies and bather preparation areas and water treatment systems.

Dwyer said this is the first time during his tenure that the Oasis has been inspected.