Politics & Government

Looking for a Way to Beat the Heat? City Pools Are Opening

Check out some local pools in your area.

As Philadelphia schools close, the pools open. 

On Wednesday Mayor Michael Nutter kicked off the city's 2011 season. All 70 of pools in Philadelphia are set to open in the weeks leading up to July 4. 

"Today we're continuing an important tradition in Philadelphia with the opening of our public pools," Nutter said in a release. "Swimming pools provide a safe and enjoyable way for the young, and the young at heart to beat the heat during these warm summer months."

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The 2011 summer season marks the third and final year of the City’s “Splash and Summer FUNd,” a public-private partnership that was established to raise funds for Philadelphia’s public swimming pools in 2009.  In 2010, First Niagara made a $400,000 donation that closed the fundraising gap and kept all municipal pools open for the season during one of the hottest summers on record.   

First Niagara led the corporate fundraising effort this year by rallying more than 25 public and private companies and foundations to raise nearly 90 percent of the 2011 Splash and Summer FUNd’s $600,000 goal.  

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Recreation centers, local groups and individuals contributed the difference. These funds will support 800 life guarding and facility maintenance jobs while providing recreational amenities for the expected one-million visitors this summer. 

Some of the pools in the Roxborough-Manayunk, Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy sections of the city are set to open as early as Thursday. 

Here are a list of some local spots to cool off during the hot summer season:

Kendrick Recreation Center

The center, located at 5800 Ridge Ave., is set to open  Saturday. The pool will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. on the weekends with open swim from 1 to 3 p.m. followed by family swim from 3 to 6 p.m. 

On the weekdays the pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. day camps use the facility but open swim is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. followed by adult and family swim from 5 to 7 p.m. 

A mom & tot program is usually held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays. 

Parents can still register their children for swim lessons at the pool. 

For more information call 215-685-2584.

Pleasant Pool 

6750 Boyer St., Mt. Airy 

The pool is scheduled to open June 30. On weekends the pool will open from 1 to 6 p.m. Recreational swim is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. with the last hour family hour where children under 18 will have to be accompanied by a parent to stay. 

The pool will host swim camps from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays. Free swim is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. with 45 minutes of lessons and swim team practice in the middle. 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. is family swim.

The pool's swim lessons are very relaxed, Dan Wheeler, site supervisor said. 

"They're very informal," he said. "It's usually just people from the neighborhood."

The lessons, he said, are free. 

Although the pool isn't the busiest in the city, Wheeler said it definitely sees community folks. 

"It all really depends on how hot it is," he said. 

For more information call 215-685-2230. 

Hillside Community Center

The Hillside Community Center opened Thursday. The pool is open for family swim from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays. 

Day camps will be using the facility prior to 3 p.m. on the weekdays but open swim is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. and family swim will follow until 7 p.m. 

For more information call 215-685-2595.


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