If you are looking for an alternative to those ultra-expensive water parks, like Adventure Island in Tampa or Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando, why not explore some of the local swimming pools provided by one of Tampa Bay’s city parks and recreation departments. You’ll be surprised what they have to offer for the summer and even year round. These local public swimming pools aren’t just for swimming classes or an exclusive use for school activities. They are indeed available to the public. However, some have restricted hours for the afternoon while others are open early and close before sundown. I’ve been to some of these swimming pools here in Tampa Bay and they’ve certainly come a very long way. Find out what these wonderful local swimming pools have to offer in regards to their features, hours of operation, fees and locations. Now you are about to learn more on a very well-kept secret.
1.) North Shore Aquatic Complex – St. Petersburg, Florida
This is the first of three featured public swimming pools in Pinellas County that are very impressive. At the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department there are nine swimming pools throughout the city. However, one in particular seems to be the most interesting, the North Shore Aquatic Complex that’s open year round. Situated on St. Pete’s beautiful waterfront this swimming pool complex features a 50 meter swimming pool with diving board, a 25 yard training pool with zero depth entry, giant flume slide, splash pad, water play, pool deck for sunbathing and picnic area. The public swim hours are Monday – Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. For those who enjoy a twilight swim those hours are from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. A one-day admission ticket is $2.50 for children ages 3-12. Adults ages 13 & up the admission is $3.00. Their location is at 901 N. Shore Drive in St. Pete. (727) 893-7727.
2.) Clearwater Beach Family Aquatic Complex – Clearwater, Florida
Talk about aesthetic beauty and the best of both worlds the Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Complex is within close range to the famed Clearwater Beach. One of its main features is their seasonal swimming pool. This state-of-the-art swim center houses a six lane 25-yard lap swimming pool, children’s area with squirting water fountains, “raindrop” waterfall that looks like a mushroom, frog slide and a water basketball goal. There are shaded area structures along with lounge chairs and tables with chairs for relaxing out of the pool. Seasonal hours for the family aquatic complex are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday is 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. It will be open from June 10, 2010 to August 23, 2010. Daily admission fees for Youth (ages 18 and under) are $3.74 and Adults (ages 19 and up) are $5.61. There is also an additional 7% sales tax. Located at 51 Bay Esplanade in Clearwater. (727) 462-6020.
3.) Highlander Pool – Dunedin, Florida
Be sure to checkout the Kiwanis Sprayground which is open from 9 a.m. to sunset Monday through Sunday. The sprayground also features Dunedin’s own “Nessie”, which is an interactive playground with water. It shuts off automatically when lightning is detected. I absolutely love the mushroom-like waterfall. The Highlander Pool is more or less bare bones in comparison to the other previously featured swimming pool complexes. If swimming is all you want to do then this is the one for you. There is a children’s training pool and a 25 yard x 25 meter main swimming pool with two 1-meter spring diving boards. For those avid swimmers who need their morning lap workout they have special hours just for you. The Lap Swim Pool Hours are Monday – Friday 5 a.m. – 10 a.m. plus 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The Open to the public and Lap Swim Hours are Monday -Thursday 1:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $3.75 and their address is 1937 Ed Eckert Drive in Dunedin. (727) 298-3266.
4.) Bobby Hicks Pool – Tampa, Florida
Surprisingly the swimming pools featured by the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department are about as no frills as you can get. Once again, if you are interested in just swimming in a pool that is certainly what they offer. Oddly enough many of the swimming pools I have gone to that are located in upscale neighborhoods of Tampa are closed for the season or temporarily closed. You would think all of the pools in Tampa would be open, at least for the summer. At any rate, the other available pools are in parts of Tampa I would not exactly venture into. I’ll just leave it at that. However, there is one swimming pool that is worth looking into. The only problem is its remote location. It’s in South Tampa, south of Gandy Boulevard. This would be a great distance for many people in other areas of Tampa. However, they have excellent hours of operation. The Bobby Hicks Pool is open Monday – Thursday 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The address is 4201 W. Mango Avenue in Tampa. (813) 832-1216.
When you compare the exorbitant admission prices from those water parks like Adventure Island and Wet ‘n Wild to these four swimming pools it’s like a dream come true with their low admission costs. A word of caution regarding the local swimming pools they are all outdoors. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, especially when going to those swimming pools with afternoon hours when the sun is at its peak. Follow the rules, stay safe and have fun in the summertime swimming in a pool near you.
SOURCES:
http://www.tampagov.net/dept_parks_and_recreation/programs_and_services/swim_programs/
http://www.myclearwater.com/gov/depts/parksrec/facilities/cbrc.asp
http://www.stpete.org/recreation/aquatics.asp
http://www.dunedingov.com/home.aspx?page=departments/LeisureServices/pool&title;=Highlander%20Pool
