With the summer heat within striking distance, many people are assessing their options for swimming in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Driving to the beach in Lake Michigan is a popular option for those looking to cool down, but for people wanting to save on gas-or wanting to swim in a more controlled environment-there are a number of swimming pools in Grand Rapids, Michigan that offer a cheap way to cool down on these hot summer days. Moreover, many of the local swimming pools offer a variety of programs and amenities ranging from swimming lessons to water park style waterslides.
The best swimming pools in Grand Rapids, Michigan include:
City of Grand Rapids Pools – The City of Grand Rapids’ Parks and Recreation Department operates six outdoor swimming pools in the Grand Rapids area. These include Briggs Pool (Lafayette Avenue and Knapp St NE), Campau Park (50 Antoine St SE), Highland Park (551 Grand Ave NE), Lincoln Park (398 Garfield Ave NE), Martin Luther King Jr. Park (998 Fuller Ave SE), and Richmond Park (1637 Tamarack Ave NW). All of the swimming pools offer open swim and swimming lessons and many feature water slides. Pools will be open from June 22 to August 14 this year. Admission for adults $2 and admission for children under 17 is free. The swimming pools are open from 12:00pm to 4:00pm and 5:30pm to 8:00pm Monday through Friday, 12:30pm to 4:00pm and 5:30pm to 8:00pm on Saturdays, and 12:30pm to 4:00pm on Sundays.
City of East Grand Rapids Pools – The City of East Grand Rapids operates two indoor swimming pools-the Wealthy Pool (1961 Lake Dr) and the High School Pool (2211 Lake Dr). Day passes are $4 for non-residents and $3 for non-residents. In addition there are a number of different passes-10-visit, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year-passes that vary in price from $19 ($25 non-resident) to $123 ($160 for non-resident). Open hours vary greatly-see the schedule for more information or call their hours hotline at 616-940-9800 ext. 302-but there is both lap and open swim hours Monday through Friday. The City of East Grand Rapids’ website has additional information about the pools.
YMCA of Grand Rapids – The YMCA of Grand Rapids has indoor swimming pools at its six facilities in the Grand Rapids area. They include the pool at the David D. Hunting YMCA in downtown Grand Rapids that features a water slide and indoor lazy river. To use the pools, you need to become a member. To be a member, you must pay a “joining fee” and a monthly membership fee. For example, the monthly rate for a family membership is $95 per month with a joining fee of $160. There are a number of different classes available ranging from basic swimming lessens to programs for disabled swimmers, in addition to regular open swim hours.
MVP Sportsplex Grand Rapids – MVP Sportsplex is a private fitness club with varying membership rates, see their website for more information. They have both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pools and offer a number of different classes and programs, including individual swim instruction. Because the pools are part of a larger fitness club offering running tracks and exercise equipment, it will cost significantly more to swim at MVP than at other swimming pools in Grand Rapids.
