Managers of Jackson County’s two pools hope warm temperatures this week will allow them to open as scheduled Saturday.
Several things need to be just right to give people a chance to take their first dip of the year.
Jamie Temple, manager of the Brownstown Pool, said weather, pool temperature and mechanical issues have impeded the opening date in the past.
Chris Boggs, who manages the Shields Park Pool in Seymour with her husband, Dave, said if it’s raining or the water and air temperatures are too cool, they will delay the opening or only open in the afternoon when it’s warmer.
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“We need the air temperature to be at least 60 and the water temperature to be at least 70,” Boggs said. “It is now 65, so if it gets to 80 air temperature, the pool will raise about 2 to 4 degrees a day. It raises pretty fast for a half-million gallons of water.”
Brownstown Pool will be open 12:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursday sand 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. From July 22 to the last day, Aug. 7, it will close at 5:30 p.m. every day.
Hours of operation at Shields Park Pool are from noon to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The last day of operation is Aug. 8.
To prepare for opening day, pool managers have a lot of work to do in the months before.
Temple said she starts looking for summer employees by the first of March.
“Things slowly start happening after that,” she said. “This year, we finished painting our bathrooms and entryway. Our guard room, bathrooms, chairs, gutters, holding tanks, play feature, pool liner and slide all have to be cleaned. We work the last week in April to prepare to fill both pools by the first of May. Once the water goes in, I am at the pool two to three times a day at least.”
Boggs said she starts receiving applications the first part of March and has staff hired in April.
“We have a lifeguarding class in April for new guards, and Dave teaches aquatics at Seymour High School second semester that also trains guards for the high school pool and area pools,” she said. “We do the renewing of certifications for CPR and lifeguarding in May. We have a full staff cleaning day at the pool the first weekend in May and then finish up the cleaning and stocking the next few days until we open.”
The biggest change at the Brownstown Pool this year is a new liner in both pools. It took two weeks to install the liners, while the welding of the gutters and fixing any leaking took a little longer, Temple said.
RenoSys Corp. installed the PVC membranes for $85,175. That comes with a 10-year warranty, but some pools have gotten 15 to 20 years out of them.
“The liner is going to help with keeping the pool water balanced more often, and overall maintenance of the pool will be cut in half,” Temple said. “Everyone will enjoy the cushion that the liners provide and the extra traction at the leisure pool.”
Also at the Brownstown Pool, the diving board has been resurfaced, and the frame has been redone.
As far as new features, the Brownstown Pool is offering lap swimming from 6 to 7 a.m. It’s free for season pass holders and $1 for everyone else. The pool also is open for rental throughout the summer, and Temple plans to have more dive-in movie nights for the public.
At the Shields Park Pool, Boggs said, parent-toddler lessons are different this year. They are now going to be four days a week for two weeks.
Both pools have a long history in the county.
The Brownstown Pool opened in 1965. Its unique feature is a zero-entry leisure pool with a play feature and a slide.
“It is ideal for families with young children and babies,” said Temple, who is in her fourth year as manager. “We also have a friendly, respectful staff that works hard to ensure your safety and that you are enjoying your time with us.”
This is the 26th season for the Shields Park Pool. Dave Boggs always has been the manager, and his wife has assisted him for about 15 years.
“The quality and cleanliness of our pool draws people from Seymour and surrounding counties,” Chris Boggs said. “Our prices are very reasonable, and you can’t beat Tuesday night free family swim. The prices for lessons are extremely fair.”
Pool patrons also frequent businesses in Seymour for meals, shopping, etc., she said. That includes the weekend of the Pepsi Plunge, which brings in 700-plus swimmers from Indiana and Kentucky.
“They bring a large amount of revenue to Seymour, and it introduces them to what the town has to offer so that maybe they will return for other activities like Oktoberfest,” Chris Boggs said.
The managers of both pools are excited about another year serving the area.
“I am looking forward to having another successful summer working with all of the great staff that we have and visiting with the people of our community,” Temple said. “We strive for our place to be a welcoming and enjoyable environment for families.”
Dave and Chris Boggs both said they like having a summer job working with kids and being outside.
“Swimming is a lifetime fitness activity that can be enjoyed by yourself or with your family,” Chris Boggs said. “My grandson loves to swim with us, and hopefully, he will continue to do it his entire life. The health benefits are great for people.”
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What: Brownstown Pool
Where: 715 W. Bridge St., Brownstown
When: Scheduled to open Saturday and remain open through Aug. 7. Hours are 12:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Pool will close at 4:30 p.m. June 14, 16 and 18 for Brave Wave meets. Pool will close at 5:30 p.m. July 22 through Aug. 7.
Admission: $3 for ages 18 and over, $2.50 for ages 3 through 17 and free for 2 and under (must wear swim diapers)
Season passes: $90 for four family members; you can add a family member for $10 more. Individual swim passes also are available for $35 per person. Passes can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Brownstown Town Hall. Swim passes also allow adult pass holders to enjoy lap swimming from 6 to 7 a.m. every weekday.
Lessons: Private, one-on-one swim lessons start the second week in June and go until the end of July. Cost is $65 for 10 half-hour sessions that run every weekday. Signups are at Brownstown Town Hall. Lessons are scheduled once a person is signed up.
Special features: Dive-in movie nights and pool rental.
Information: 812-358-3536
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What: Shields Park Pool
Where: 794 N. Park St., Seymour
When: Scheduled to open Saturday and remain open through Aug. 8. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed July 15 through 17 for the annual Pepsi Plunge.
Admission: $3 in afternoon and $2 in evening for ages 6 and older and $1 any time for ages 3-5 (must wear swim diapers; available for $1 at the front desk). Life vests may be rented for $2.
Season passes: $100 for four family members; $10 for each additional child. Individual passes are $50 for 18 and older and $40 for children age 17 or younger and senior citizens age 60 and older. Lap passes also are available for $40, and a 30-day pass for a family of four is $45 ($5 for each additional child). All passes can be purchased at the pool once it’s open for the season.
Lessons: Girls Inc. lessons for children starting kindergarten and older from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday June 13 through July 30 (registration through June 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Girls Inc.; cost is $25); City lessons will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday June 20 through 30 and July 11 through 21 (registration starts Monday at the pool office and runs through June 17 for the first session and July 8 for the second session; cost is $30 for one child and $25 for each additional child); Private lessons (dates and times to be arranged with instructor; $10 per 20-minute lesson and $12 per 30-minute lesson); Parent-toddler lessons for children ages 2 and 3 from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m. June 20, 23, 27 and 30; registration starts Monday at the pool office; cost is $30); Four levels of youth group lessons, lifeguard training and standard first aid and community CPR courses also are available.
Special features: Live radio days from 1 to 3 p.m. June 9 and 16 and July 5 (door prizes, giveaways, drawings and games); Tuesday family free swim from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (admission is free when a child is accompanied by at least one parent or guardian); Three levels of competitive swimming; Shields Park shelter house and picnic tables ($25 for rental); Pool rental for birthdays, private parties and special occasions ($100 base price plus $9 per hour per guard and $10 per hour per manager); Group rates for groups of 10 or more; Fitness program including aqua exercise, shallow water exercise, deep water exercise, water walking and lap swim.
Information: 812-523-7665
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