Most North Hills public pools getting ready to open

North Hills residents yearning to dip their toes in some cool water will soon be able to shake free from the pandemic’s shackles.

Public pools were under strict covid-19 restrictions last summer, forcing many to shut down because they couldn’t comply with the guidelines.

But operators are gearing up in the hopes of returning to normal operations this season.

Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced that beginning May 17, occupancy limits for indoor events can increase to 50% and capacity for outdoor events can increase to 75% of maximum occupancy limits, with all mitigation measures except the mask mandate set to be lifted on Memorial Day.

The mask order will be dropped once 70% of the state’s adults are fully vaccinated, Wolf said.

Pool operators who want to open before the state reaches the 70% vaccination threshold would have to keep swimmers 6-feet apart while in the pool. Patrons also would be required to wear masks when they are out of the water and pools would have to control the number of people allowed to swim at the same time.

Cranberry Township manager Dan Santoro said providing recreational activities, though difficult during the pandemic, has been important to the community’s well-being.

“As we’ve done throughout the pandemic, finding ways to offer programming while keeping staff and residents safe is important to us,” he said.

Cranberry plans to open its popular waterpark and swimming pool for the season on May 29.

It also is lifting last year’s restriction on admitting residents from outside the township, which was imposed during the shutdown.

“Being able to provide a sense of normalcy to residents while also giving them peace of mind that we’re watching out for their health and safety is a commitment we’ve long had even before the pandemic,” he said.

Here are the opening plans for the public swimming pools in the North Hills.

North Park Pool

As of May 12, Allegheny County has not yet announced a date for when the swimming pool in North Park will open for the season.

The county planned to open the pools in North, South, Boyce and Settlers Cabin parks last year but was delayed because there weren’t enough lifeguards.

In late May, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced that the pools and spray parks would remain closed for the 2020 season to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Applications for lifeguards at county pools currently are available online.

Hampton Community Pool

The pool located in Hampton Community Park is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. on May 29.

Located at 3101 McCully Road, the aquatics complex features a large heated pool with slides, diving boards, lap lanes and spray features.

Memberships are available for both residents and people from other communities.

Bellevue Memorial Park Pool

Memorial Park Pool in Bellevue is filled with water and ready for swimmers, but a date hasn’t been set for the opening because the borough has not received enough applicants to fill lifeguard positions, officials said.

Applications for lifeguards as well as cashier at the pool are available online.

The pool at 320 Bellevue Road is open to the general public.

Bellevue and Ross Township residents can buy seasonal pool passes. Information about buying tickets will be posted on the borough website in the coming weeks.

Cranberry Township Waterpark and Pool

Cranberry Township’s waterpark and swimming pool is scheduled to open to the public starting on May 29.

The facility at 50 N. Boundary Park Drive has a full-sized swimming pool with diving boards and multiple slides, lap lanes, a splash pad for children, sand volleyball court and other features.

Township residents can purchase discounted season passes.

Cranberry also is looking to fill positions for lifeguards and a pool maintenance attendant.