Over Memorial Day weekend, many families were able to enjoy their community pools and spraygrounds for the first time this year. Clay County Public Health Center’s environmental health team worked with approximately 80 facilities this May to help them prepare to open. Seasonal operators must go through a pre-operational inspection with CCPHC staff to make sure facilities meet safety standards and are ready for a busy summer.

Each year, Clay County Public Health Center celebrates pool facilities that excel in safety. The Pool Quality of Excellence Awards recognize facilities that continue to successfully follow the Clay County Rules and Regulations for Pools/Spas, exhibiting pool quality and safety practices and achieving exceptional inspection results during the calendar year.

Clay County Public Health Center is proud to announce the recipients of the Pool Quality of Excellence Awards for outstanding efforts in 2022. This year’s winners represent 11 yearly pools, two yearly spas, 15 seasonal pools, three wading pools, one outdoor spa, and two spraygrounds. Eight facilities also earned a Gold Standard distinction by winning an excellence award for the past three or more years.

“We are grateful for the hard work these establishments put in last year to not only meet but exceed the health department’s high standards of safety,” said Robert Gilliland, section chief of Environmental Health Protection. “We appreciate their partnership with us to protect the public from waterborne illnesses and other hazards.”

To qualify for a Pool Quality of Excellence award, multiple criteria must be met, such as having been open and operating the full year with no repeated violations, no follow-up inspections needed, no confirmed cases of water-borne illnesses, no imminent risk or safety violations, Virginia Gram Baker (VGB) compliant and pool operator/manager certification.

In 2022, the Environmental Health Protection section of Clay County Public Health Center conducted 445 recreational water inspections. This year’s award winners represent 29% of Clay County regulated recreational water facilities.

2022 Pool Quality of Excellence Award Winners

34 total winners, 8 Gold Standard award winners*

Indoor Pool Yearly - 11

Excelsior Springs Community Center - Pool, Excelsior Springs

Gladstone Community Center - Competition Pool, Gladstone

Gladstone Community Center - Diving Pool, Gladstone

Gladstone Community Center - Leisure Pool, Gladstone

Holiday Inn Express and Suites - Pool, Kearney

Liberty Community Center - Therapy Pool, Liberty

North Kansas City YMCA, NKC

*NKCH Therapy Pool, NKC 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

*NKCH Wellness, NKC 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022