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Local city pools gearing up for summer season

[2008-5-16]

Tag: Swimming Wear

The temperature is rising, school is drawing to a close and swimming is starting to look mighty appealing.
    Luckily for Mid Valley residents, there are plenty of summer programs to help families have a safe and sunny summer in the pool.
    Lindsey Mendenhall, aquatics manager at the Murray Park Center, said the pool's goal is to meet the community's needs, make swimming appealing for families and keep children safe around the water.
    For Mendenhall, the center's swimming lessons are a key component. She said the lessons, which have been extremely popular, are successful because of the instructors.
    "Our instructors really care about the kids and that comes across to their parents," Mendenhall said.
    The 36 lesson slots per time frame always fill quickly.
    Mendenhall, a life guard by training, is also excited about a junior lifeguard training program called "Guard Start," through the American Red Cross. The program offers pre-lifeguard training for children ages 11 to 15.
    Paige Christensen attends a swimming class and has two of her children in private swimming lessons at the Park Center. Her oldest son is working on a swimming merit badge for his scouting program.
    "You can see the improvement," Christensen said of the private lessons.
    Glenn Mitchell has also been impressed by

his children's private lessons and has recommended their instructor to friends. He said his children's swimming abilities have improved at a faster pace in private lessons, and the additional cost is worthwhile.
    Keeping families safe in the pool goes beyond teaching them to swim.
    Pool sanitation has been an issue of concern since last year's cryptosporidium epidemic, but Mendenhall said Murray Parks and Recreation has never had a confirmed case of the parasite. The Park Center and the city's outdoor pool adhere to strict guidelines set by the State Health Department, conducting hourly checks where all patrons are required to exit the pool for 10 minutes. Mendenhall said this allows the chlorine to work effectively and works as a reminder for parents to take children to the bathroom.
    "When you're in the water, the time goes by faster than you realize," Mendenhall said.
    This summer the pools will require babies to wear plastic pants over swim diapers to enhance pool sanitation. Both pools will have them available for purchase.

    Murray
    * Murray City Outdoor Pool opens Saturday, May 24 at 10 a.m. Swimming lessons start June 10. For more information, call 801-290-4190 or visit at www.murray.utah.gov. The outdoor pool is located at 5109 S. Murray Park Ave., and the Murray Park Center is located at 202 E. Murray Park Ave.
    Along with swimming lessons there will also be diving, aqua fit classes and lifeguard training. The pool is also available for open plunge and lap swimming and features zero-depth entry, water spray attractions, diving boards and a large water slide. Admission fee for adults is $3.50; youth ages 4-17 are $3; children 1-3 years are $1; and infants younger than 1 are free.

    Cottonwood Heights
    * The Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center outdoor pool will open Friday, May 23. The center is located at 7500 S. 2700 East. For more information, call 801-943-3190 or visit www.cottonwoodheights.com.
    The pool features a tot water play area, diving tank, water slides and lap lanes. Additionally, there is an outdoor diving tank with 3- and 10-meter diving boards. The price of admission for non-members is $4 for ages 3-17, $5 for adults. CHRC offers swim lessons, water aerobics, water polo, water safety classes and lifeguard training. All program information as well as a calendar of events is available at Web site.