A mother in southern Utah is speaking out after her son experienced a serious health reaction following a swim at the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center in St. George.
Christine Lawson said her son became ill shortly after getting out of the pool, developing breathing issues, swelling, and a rash severe enough to land him in the emergency room. Although he was discharged that night, his condition worsened by the following morning.
“His hands and feet were extremely red and swollen,” Lawson said. “He was in a lot of pain—it was heartbreaking to see him like that.”
Lawson later shared her experience on social media, where other parents chimed in with similar stories involving the same facility. She also filed a report with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, urging officials to investigate and take action.
In response, the health department stated that while the aquatic center has had ventilation issues in the past, those problems have since been addressed. They suggested there may have been a misunderstanding regarding the current condition of the facility.
The City of St. George released a statement saying the water at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center is tested four times daily and meets all state safety standards. They noted, however, that chloramine levels—which can impact air quality—are not regulated by the state, though the city does employ mitigation technology.
The city acknowledged that while the aquatic center’s ventilation system is functional, it still has “some inefficiencies,” and they are working on improvements. Despite the concerns raised, the facility will remain open to the public.
Lawson hopes her son’s experience prompts city officials to prioritize upgrades and protect others from potential harm.
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