The City of Galesburg has shifted Parks and Rec Tony Oligney-Estill to a new position. He'll now work as the Community Service Supervisor with the Galesburg Police Department. This leaves an opening in the Director of Parks and Rec post which will be filled in the interim by Elizabeth Varner. Varner spent 30 years with the City's Parks and Rec department and was the long-time Recreation Supervisor before retiring in 2018. She was responsible for managing and supervising recreation facilities, including Hawthorne Pool, Lakeside Water Park, Lakeside Nature Center, and Lake Storey Beach and waterslide. Varner also successfully coordinated numerous programs and events throughout her career serving the Galesburg community and surrounding area. She's received awards for her work, including the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's 1996 Aquatics Manager of the Year, and received New Program of the Year 2009 from the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois. City Attorney and
Galesburg Lakeside pool opening delayed until Friday
The water park was scheduled to open Tuesday, but will now open Friday.
Given the delay, city staff will update the policies to comply with the most recent state mandates. Due to limited staffing, there are reduced hours for open swim Monday through Thursday, reduced facility capacity of 100 persons, and a potential for a rotation of which pools may be available throughout the day.
Hours will be noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday and holidays.