Everybody into the pool!
Summer’s almost here, and many people soon will be taking those words to heart. Some people will only have to venture as far as their back yards to take that swim, but others will have to find a pool elsewhere.
“Some people don’t have backyard pools,” said George Mulville, Meadows Park pool manager. “It’s warm outside, and a lot of people want to cool off.”
There are many pools in the area, each one offering different services, some at a higher cost than others. If the private country club pools are eliminated, there still are about a dozen pools from which to choose.
The obvious point of comparison is size. There are three Olympic-size pools in the area, Lake Lytal Pool in West Palm Beach; Aqua Crest Pool in Delray Beach; and Lake Worth Pool in Lake Worth. Many pools claim they’re Olympic- sized, but they’re actually junior Olympic-sized. An Olympic-size pool officially is 25 yards by 50 meters.
The price of admission also varies; most pools charge less than $1 to get in. Wilson Pool in Boynton Beach is the best bargain — admission is free. But the YMCA’s pools cost non-members $5 to get in.
From swimming lessons to water aerobics to home pool safety, there’s a class for everyone.
If classes aren’t your thing, and you just want to swim laps, many pools section off a few lanes for lap swimmers. Howard Park Pool in West Palm Beach sets aside an hour a day for lap swimmers and monitors the participants’ progress on a chart.
This list includes information on most of the area’s public swimming pools. For details on classes or programs, call the specific pool.
BOCA RATON
YMCA OF BOCA RATON: 6631 Palmetto Circle South. Call 392-0090.
The YMCA’s pools are open to the public. Members can get in for free, but non-members have to pay $5 to use the pool. Unlike the YMCA’s two other pools, this
one is outdoors. It has two 1-meter diving boards, and six lanes roped off for lap swimmers.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekends.
Admission: Members, free; non-members, $5.
Size: 25 yards by 6 lanes.
MEADOWS PARK SWIMMING POOL: 1300 NW Eighth St. Call 393-7851.
This is Boca Raton’s only public swimming pool, and it gets crowded during the summer. The pool offers classes in swimming in levels from infants to adult intermediate. Diving, snorkeling, and special classes for the handicapped are also available. All programs will be conducted in the morning.
Hours: Through June 15, noon to 5:45 p.m., seven days a week; after June 15, 1-5:45 p.m., seven days a week. The pool will be closed every other Saturday.
Admission: Residents, $1 adults, 50 cents for those 17 and under; non- residents, $2 adults, $1 for those 17 and under. Season pass is available.
Size: 25 yards by 25 meters.
DELRAY BEACH
AQUA CREST POOL: 2501 Seacrest Blvd. Call 278-7104.
This is the only Olympic-size pool in southern Palm Beach county. The pool has three diving boards, two 1-meter and one 3-meter, which are sectioned off. There are always a few lanes available for lap swimmers. Aqua Crest offers a complete safety program that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, life- saving and first aid. There are also swimming lessons and a course in home pool safety. The pool also has many teams, recreational and competitive.
Hours: Through June 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon-6 p.m., Sunday. After June 15, noon-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 5:30-7:30 p.m., adults and families only, Monday through Thursday; noon-6 p.m., Friday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday.
Admission: $1, adults; 50 cents, children. Discount passes are available.
Size: 25 yards by 50 meters.
BOYNTON BEACH
WILSON POOL: 311 NW 12th Ave. Call 732-1252.
For those on a tight budget, Wilson Pool is the place to go. Admission is free, and many of the pool’s programs are under $5. They include classes in swimming, home pool safety, and a special class called “Mothers and Tots.” From June 19 to Aug. 7, Thursday night is family night; from 7-9 p.m., children must be accomday-Friday, 3-7 p.m., on weekends, 1-5 p.m.; after June 15, weekdays, 1-6 p.m. Call for weekend hours.
Admission: Free.
Size: 25 yards by 25 meters.
LAKE WORTH
LAKE WORTH POOL: 10 S. Ocean Blvd. Call 582-4040.
The only non-county public pool that is Olympic-sized. The pool offers three diving boards, two 1-meter boards and one 3-meter. June 16 marks the beginning of the pool’s swimming classes, which cost only $1 a lesson. The preregistration period is June 9-12. There is a pool for infants.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. From Tuesday through Thursday, the pool is also open from 6-9 p.m..
Admission: $1.50 for adults, $1 for those 18 and under. Lake Worth residents can buy a membership card that entitles them to a 50 percent discount off regular admission rates.
Size: 25 yards by 50 meters.
WEST PALM BEACH
GAINES POOL: 1501 N. Australian Ave. Call 659-8063.
Gaines Pool’ programs start June 16, including “Slim and Swim Swimmercise” and conventional lessons in swimming and diving. Two lap lanes are kept open at all times for lap swimmers. Gaines also has special nightly programs, including family-night swim, an adults-only swim, and a splash party. The pool can also be rented out for $35, lifeguard included. The area is next to a playground, handball and tennis courts, and a gymnasium.
Hours: Through June 15, the pool is open to the public on weekends from noon- 5 p.m. After June 15, 1-5 p.m., weekdays; on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7-9 p.m.; on weekends and holidays, noon-6 p.m..
Admission: Adults, 50 cents; children, 10 cents.
Size: 25 yards by 25 meters.
HOWARD PARK POOL: 1307 Lake Ave. Call 659-8067.
This pool has set aside many hours for special programs. The “Swim and Stay Fit” program for adults runs from noon to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Participants swim laps for free and have their progress charted by the pool’s office. Another unusual program is the upcoming clinic on triathlon swimming, which begins June 16.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., weekdays; noon-5 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Admission: Adults, 50 cents; children, 10 cents; senior citizens, free.
Size: Not available.
LAKE LYTAL POOL: 3645 Gun Club Road. Call 683-4436
Lake Lytal Pool is one of three pools run by the county. Its Olympic dimensions go well with the two diving boards, one 1-meter and one 3-meter. Swimming lessons are offered to all ages and levels. The pool also has organized teams in swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water hockey. Anyone qualified can join at any time.
Hours: Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends, noon to 6 p.m. The pool is also open from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, but only to families and adults.
Admission: $1 for those 16 and over; 4-15, 50 cents; 3 and under, free.
Size: 25 yards by 50 meters.
YMCA, EDWIN W. BROWN BRANCH: 2085 S. Congress Avenue. Call 967-3573.
If all this talk about skin cancer has you avoiding the sun, the Y has an indoor heated pool that’s a bit smaller than most public outdoor pools. There are no diving boards, but there are many classes, including scuba lessons, arthritis exercise class and classes for the mentally retarded.
Hours: They vary daily. Call for specific hours.
Admission: Free to YMCA members; $5 to non-members.
Size: Not available.
PALM BEACH GARDENS
CABANA COLONY POOL: 3855 Holiday Road, 626-6222
The workers here stress that the pool is not private, despite the private- sounding name.
Hours: Through June 15, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m.. After June 15, Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 8-10 p.m., Tuesday; 11:30 a.m. t, Sunday.
Admission: 75 cents for adults; 35 cents for children 4 and over; children under 4, free.
Size: 25 meters by 4 lanes.
PALM BEACH GARDENS MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL: 4404 Burns Road. Call 627-2562.
The L-shaped pool has six lanes to swim in, plus a diving area with two diving boards, one 1-meter and one 3-meter. It offers a scuba diving program and a recreational swim team for children. The team currently has about 75 members, said instructor Kathleen Hack.
Hours: Through June 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends. After June 15, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends.
Admission: $1, adults, 50 cents, children, residents; $2, adults, $1, children, non-residents.
Size: L-shaped.
YMCA, NORTH FAMILY BRANCH: 3205 RCA Blvd. Call 622-2576
Same as West Palm Beach YMCA.
Hours: Hours vary; call for specific hours.
Admission: Members, free; guests, $5.
Size: 20 feet by 40 feet.
