Pool opening makes a splash

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Justin Hicks, Trevin Wanamaker, Danielle Fuqua and Marcy Estes catch some rays on opening day at Gilley Pool Saturday. (Duane Sherrill photo)

Nothing defines summer quite like swimming at the city pool, and for hundreds of people who swam at Gilley Pool this weekend, summer has definitely arrived.

More than 700 swimmers braved an earlier-than-usual grand opening weekend to dip their toes in the city’s three-year old pool or relax on its decks, Parks and Recreation Director Carlene Brown said.

“We had a great day with no problems whatsoever,” she said of opening day Saturday, when children lined up almost an hour before the pool was scheduled to open. “All the people who came enjoyed themselves and swam until they got chilly.”

A wind change Saturday afternoon was responsible for the chill in the air despite temperatures in the 80s, but Brown said the water was 76 degrees and is getting warmer all the time.

With opening day considered a success, pool staffers are gearing up for a big weekend this weekend in conjunction with the Memorial Day holiday.

The Civic Center’s recreation programmer Justin Scott said a number of special events are planned for Saturday. Dive contests include a belly flop off the low dive, the ugliest dive off the low dive, the farthest jump of the middle dive and more. Children’s games include a scavenger hunt and “Simon Says,” while fun swims include events like musical kick boards, a clothing race, a balloon swim and others.

The special events begin at 11 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. Saturday. Music and grilled food, customary features of the pool’s Memorial Day events, will also be offered Saturday, Brown said.

Regular pool hours are: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Sunday hours are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.