Recent city budget cuts have affected this summer’s swim season, with rates going up and some pools being closed for scheduled renovation.

    The city has scheduled eight pools a year, for the next three years, to close for infrastructure repairs. Affected pools this year in the North Central area include Coronado, 1717 N. 12th St., and Perry, 3131 E. Windsor Ave.—but the pool at Sunnyslope High School remains open.

    After repairs are completed, another eight pools will be selected. The infrastructure repairs are being funded with Phoenix Parks and Preserve Initiative funds.

    Fees also have gone up this year to help offset budget cuts. The admission fee for open swim has risen from $2 to $3 for adults and from $.50 to $1 for children 17 and under, and seniors 50 and older. The cost of a season pass for a family of four went from $60 to $75, an adult season pass rose from $25 to $30, a child and senior season pass increased from $15 to $20, and the extra card fee rose from $5 to $7.

 

In addition, the swimming season itself has been reduced. Pools will open for the 2009 season on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25 from 1 to 7 p.m. Pools will reopen for the full summer season Saturday, May 30 to Sunday, July 26 from 1 to 7 p.m. daily, instead of 12 to 8 p.m. All pools will be closed on Fridays.

    Registration opens May 2 at 10:30 a.m. for swim classes and aquatics programs at the pools that remain open this summer. Swimming lessons also have increased from $12 to $15. In addition, water safety instructor, lifeguard training and instructor classes rose from $75 to $125. Contact the Aquatics office at 602-262-6541 for information on upcoming lifeguard training classes and employment opportunities for summer 2009.

    Complete information and online registration is done through the Classes and Programs link on the department homepage at phoenix.gov/SPORTS/ pools.html.