The department will celebrate the kickoff of its summer season and the renovation of two of its seven outdoor public swimming pools on Saturday, June 15, at 1 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting at Battery Park Pool, located at 2917 Dupont Circle.
“As the City continues to upgrade infrastructure and improve our public spaces, quality of life for residents is always at the forefront. These new pool renovations not only make them safer but also more enjoyable and interactive for city families. This encourages Richmond families to be more active and healthier and City pools are a great place to exercise, learn how to swim, and enjoy fellowship with your neighbors,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.
Both the Battery Park Pool and the department’s Fairmount Pool, located at 2000 U Street, have been completely renovated this year, to include new pool splash pads.
The new splash pads feature water jets that spray water in several directions. Splash pads are considered by the pool industry to be much safer than the traditional baby pools and provide hours of active play for children.
Other renovations at include pool deck renovations, replacement of the pool gutter systems, and new ventilations systems in the pool bath houses that will lower humidity, increase comfort and improve maintenance.
In addition, the department has also adjusted the deep end of the Battery Park and Fairmount pools raising them from 12 feet to eight feet, another measure taken to increase safety.
“While we are delighted to bring so much fun to the public every year at our swimming pools, safety always has been and always will be our highest priority,” said Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, director of PRCF.
The department will continue making improvements to its swimming pools in the fall when it will begin work on the Blackwell Pool, located at 238 East 14th Street. Earlier this year the department opened its Bellemeade Pool, which was converted into an indoor year-round swimming pool at the Bellemeade Community Center, located at 1800 Lynhaven Avenue. PRCF also operates the Swansboro Indoor Pool located at 3160 Midlothian Turnpike.
It is free to swim at any of the department’s swimming pools, and the pools are open seven days a week during the summer months. With the exception of the Battery Park Pool, which will open after the ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m., the department’s other six outdoor public pools will open on June 15 at noon. Pool hours are Monday through Friday 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting celebration. For more information on the department’s swimming pools, call (804) 646-5733.
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