By By Jay Yelas
Children in Atmore will start making a big splash on May 26 when the Atmore City Pool at Tom Byrne Park and the city pool at Houston Avery Park open to the public.
The pools will open the day after Memorial Day with public swimming starting at 2 p.m at Tom Byrne Park and 3 p.m. at Houston Avery Park.
Atmore City Pool Director Betty Warren said the pool is an important factor in the community. She added that while it is a place for fun it is even more important because of its teaching factor.
For the city pool at Tom Byrne Park public swimming will run Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., and there will be nightly swimming sessions on Tuesday and Thursdays that run from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Swim lessons fall into three sessions with each session offering morning sessions with time slots of 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and night lessons at 5:20 p.m., 5:50 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.
The first session registers on May 26 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. with the session running from June 1 through June 19. The second session registers on June 15 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m., and the session runs from June 22 until July 10. The final session registers on July 7 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. with the session running from July 14 through July 30.
Swim lessons are one of the stronger benefits the city pool has to offer the community and not expensive at a cost $40.
Warren said that the swimming is something all people should have the knowledge of because it is important to have in this area.
Admission to the Atmore City Pool is $1 for those 17 years of age and under and $1.50 for those that are 18 and older.The pool can also be rented for private parties for $40 per hour. It can be rented Monday or Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
For more information contact Shelia Rogers at 368-2322 or Tom Byrne Pool Park during pool hours at 368-8280.
The park and pool at Houston Avery Park will operate from May 26 until July 31 with the facilities open Monday through Friday.
Swimming hours for the pool at Houston Avery are Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Swimming lessons are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until noon.
Park hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until noon with an afternoon session from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., and also on Friday from 10 a.m. until noon with an afternoon session from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Activties for the park include basketball fundamentals for boys and girls, use of a walking track, all types of games during the day featuring tennis, table tennis, volleyball, softball, basketball, checkers, dominoes, puzzles, horseshoes and other activities for children of all ages.
For more information call 368-8311.