Pool opens Saturday

The Iowa Park municipal swimming pool and spray park will open for the summer at 12 noon on Saturday.

Regular pool hours are:
Monday - 12 noon to 6 p.m.
Tuesday - 12 noon to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday thru Saturday - 12 noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday - 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Semi and private party hours are from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No reservations will be taken for parties on Tuesday.

The daily cost to swim is $2.50, up 50 cents from last year.

When asked about the price increase, City Manager Mike Price said, “The biggest reason is to address the personnel shortage we had last year. The increase allows us to have more lifeguards that we will pay a good wage and hopefully they will stay here.”

“ We want this to be the best place for lifeguards to work. Also, our goal is to be able to operate the pool in the black,” Price said. “I think it is important that it not be subsidized by tax dollars.”

Other fees include:
Individual season pass - $50 per person
Group season pass
2 person membership - $95
3 person membership - $130
4 person membership - $155
5 person membership - $180
6 person membership - $205

For every person over 6, add $35 per person.

Semi-private party fee - $125 per event

Private party fee - $200 per event

Workers have been busy for the last week or two getting the pool ready for opening day.

A new sound system has been added and music will be played during swimming hours.

A large window has been installed and concessions will now be purchased outside the building.

Sodas will be sold in plastic bottles instead of cans. This is to cut down on the problem they had last year with bees. Everyone is asked to keep the cap on the bottle when not drinking their soda.

The city has hired 20 trained lifeguards to work this year. When the pool was located at the high school there were six to eight lifeguards.

Price said there is a big demand for swimming lessons, but none will be offered this year. “We haven’t found a lifeguard that is certified to give them,” he said.