WS Chronicle

SUBMITTED ARTICLE

The city’s summer aquatics program gets underway when Bolton and Winston Waterworks pools open for the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. Hours of operation will vary during the weekend: Saturday, May 24, from noon to 6 p.m.; Sunday, May 25, from 1 to 6 p.m.; and Monday, May 26, from noon to 6 p.m. 

 Bolton pool will remain open daily from 11 a.m. to noon for the senior swim and noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for open swim. Bolton will offer new adult water fitness classes on Monday – Friday at 11 a.m., beginning on Tuesday, May 27. Classes cost $3 each, in addition to pool admission. Participants can buy 10-class punch cards at Bolton. 

 All other pools – Kimberley Park, Long Creek, Mineral Springs, Parkland, Polo, and Reynolds Park – will open for the summer starting May 31. Operating days and hours vary by pool and are posted at CityOfWS.org/1986. 

  Daily admission to pools is $3 for adults and $2 for children, with season passes available. Seniors 60 and over swim free with a city senior pass, which is available at Bolton pool and the Black-Phillips-Smith Neighborhood Government Services office, 2301 North Patterson Ave. 

 Splash pads are currently open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at these pools and parks: Hathaway Park, Happy Hill, Little Creek, Mineral Springs, Polo Park, Reynolds Park, Rupert Bell, Sprague Street, and Sedge Garden. Mineral Springs splash pads will operate according to pool schedules. Polo Park requires an entry fee. 

 All swimmers under 18 will be required to take a swim test when they arrive at the pool. Swimmers who pass the test will receive a green wrist band that allows them to access the entire pool. Individuals who are unable to pass the swim test or do not wish to take the swim test will receive a red or yellow wrist band and are required to wear a life jacket. Life jackets are not required in the water play areas at Bolton, Kimberley Park, Parkland and Winston Waterworks, nor at any of the splash pads. 

Children under 48 inches with red wrist bands may go in the shallow end of the pool (up to 3.5 feet) with a life jacket. Swimmers under 18 and taller than 48 inches must also wear a life jacket and remain in water five feet deep or less. Swimmers may wish to skip the swim test and will receive either the red or yellow wrist band and a life jacket. Adherence to the life jacket/swim test policy is required for entry to all city pools. 

 The swim test consists of treading water for a minute and swimming 25 yards without touching the bottom. The city will provide life jackets. Swimmers may also bring their own life jackets if the life jackets have a stamp indicating that they are Coast Guard approved and pass inspection from the lifeguards. 

 All pools offer free swim lessons for children through online-only registration, which begins on Saturday, May 24, at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information go to: CityOfWS.org/1992. 

 Complete information about the aquatics program, pool calendars, and hours is available at WePLAY.WS/Pools, or contact CityLink by dialing 311 within the city limits or 336-727-8000.