With summer heating up, parents scrambling to plan activities for the kids need look no further than the local outdoor pools.
The Central Park outdoor pool is the city's largest, at 50 metres, while the other three, McPherson, Kensington and Robert Burnaby are all 25-metre pools and more family oriented, said Misty Troisi, centre supervisor for Eileen Dailly indoor pool and the outdoor pools.
Troisi said the pools have already had a good turnout since they opened on June 3, especially the Central Park pool.
"We opened Central Park in mid-May for a lap swim Monday through Friday and it was very successful," she added.
This was the first year the Central Park pool was opened prior to June and, because of its success, Troisi expects the city will continue this in years to come.
The outdoor pools are also accepting the Burnaby B Active Pass, something Troisi said helps bring more people to the pools.
Troisi said all pool schedules are weather dependent and that people should check the city website often for up-to-date closure information.
"We try to open as much as possible," she said.
However, poor weather can sometimes shut down the outdoor pools, she added.
Troisi said she makes the closure decisions by 10 a.m. and will sometimes choose to open the pools later in the day if the weather is forecasted to change.
As of the end of June, the closure date for the pools will most likely remain Sept. 1, compared to past years, when the pools have been kept open until the middle of the
month, Troisi said.
"That's usually something that isn't decided until later on," she said. "We have tried it and there wasn't a huge demand."
Kensington, McPherson and Robert Burnaby pools will remain open for a public swim from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1, Monday to Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and a free swim from noon to 1: 45 p.m. and public swim 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Over at the Central Park outdoor pool, there will be lap swims from 11: 30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and public swims 1 to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, also from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1. On weekends during that time there will be public swims from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information on programs and schedules, visit www.burnaby.ca/ outdoorpools or call 604570-4000.
