Scott BresslerAre you going to be spending the summer is St. Louis, enduring the muggy, Midwestern heat? If so, then you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of indoor and outdoor pools in the area that are open to cater to your summer delights.
If you’re staying on campus, the closest and most accessible pool is the Millbrook pool in the courtyard outside of these University apartments. The Millbrook pool is open May 1 through Labor Day which doesn’t leave much time for swimming during the school year, so enjoy it while you can.
None of the public pools within the city of St. Louis charge for admission. There are three outdoor pools that will open on June 11 and close on August 19. These are Chambers Pool located in Chambers Park; Fairground Pool, located in Fairground Park; and lastly, Marquette Pool at the Marquette Center. There are five indoor pools in the city that are open year round: Cherokee Pool, Tandy Pool, 12th and Park Pool, West End Pool and the Wohl Pool in the Wohl Center (sorry, not on the South 40) at 1515 North Kingshighway. Wohl Pool also offers water aerobics and adult swims.
If you’re looking for something a little more than just a large pool of water, there are several other locations that offer amenities like lap pools, diving boards and waterslides. The North County Recreation Complex at Veterans Memorial Park boasts an outdoor Olympic-sized pool with a 3-meter high diving board and kiddie pool. On the patio, you will find a concession stand and eating area. Admission for adults is a reasonable $4. The Complex also hosts an indoor ice skating rink, tennis courts and a fishing pond.
The St. Vincent water park has a more extensive “water playground” for the kid in you. Like the pool at North County, this one also has a lap swim area and a large patio deck with a concession stand. If you will be babysitting this summer, the St. Vincent water park may be a desirable place for both you and the kids you are watching.
For an up-scale splash visit the Aquatic Center at the Center of Clayton. This indoor center features no less than a pool, a lap area, a lazy river, two waterslides, a vortex, water-dumping buckets and a hot tub. There are also water walking classes and diving scuba lessons available. The aquatic center is open every weekday.
All of these pools are only a short distance away from campus and some are easily accessible from Metrolink stops. Enjoy your day by the pool and let your cares float away-just don’t forget your sunscreen.
Also, for more fun in the sun, and a little cash in your wallet, some pools are hiring lifeguards. Check out Saint Louis County Parks at (314) 615-8938 for more information.