Summer Pool Season in Lexington Loaded with Excitement, Future Anticipations

LEXINGTON, June 6 – As summer unfurls its warm charm over Lexington, residents are eagerly lacing up their swimsuits for a refreshing swim. The city’s five primary pools, namely Shillito, Southland, Tates Creek, Castlewood, and Woodland are now open.

Despite the slow start induced by weather, it won’t be long before citizens heed the call of these aqua havens. Along with the much-anticipated pool season, another exciting development dotting the horizon is the transformation of Douglas Park pool into the city’s next aquatic center.

Pricing and Staffing Updates

According to Zach Martin, Parks and Recreation Aquatics Director, pool fees have seen a slight surge from the previous season. Adult tickets are priced at $7, while kids can gain entry for $5, a dollar up from last year. Martin elaborated, “We hadn’t raised prices in four or five or six-seven years maybe. So, we had to increase the lifeguarding pay and all of our employees’ pay, so we needed to raise it up a little.”

Despite ongoing efforts to increase the number of lifeguards, current staffing conditions have not impacted pool hours.

A Glimpse into the Future

In parallel to the ongoing pool season, work is underway on a significant transformation at Douglas Park Pool. Upon completion, Douglas Pool is set to host one of the biggest water slides in Lexington, much to the thrill of the city’s daredevils.

Additionally, the reimagined venue will feature a lap-lane section and a dedicated area for swimming lessons. Martin further revealed, “We’ll have a zero-depth entry which is different than before. And then it’s called a water bubble. It’s kind of a kid water feature there and then they’ll still have a splash pad attached to it.”

The community is abuzz with the anticipation of the revamped pool center, standing as a testament to the city’s strides in enhancing recreational facilities. The goal, as outlined by Martin, is to open Douglas Pool to swimmers by the next summer.

A Celebrated Tradition

Swimming pools have long been a source of summertime joy and community bonding in Lexington. They serve as a welcoming escape from the scorching summer heat, and a platform for residents of all ages to engage in leisure and competitive activities. The ongoing renovations and added features are further steps in growing this cherished tradition.