More staffing, education stressed at local pools as temps, crowds expected to rise

Mother Nature is cranking up the heat after what started as an unseasonably cool season for area pools.

After mid-60s temperatures last week, temperatures this week are projected to be record-breaking high. Temperatures Monday through Friday are expected to be in the mid- to high 90s — levels that haven’t been seen since June 1994, when there were six consecutive days with highs of 95 degrees or above.

It’s a quick turnaround for local pools, managers say.

“We started a little late this year because we repainted the pool,” said Leechburg Area Pool head manager Dalton Hamm. “With the cooler weather, the crowds haven’t been our best, but with the weather going up into the 90s, it’ll be packed.”

In Youngwood, pool manager Jocelyn Hawk begins each day with a briefing for her staff. Meetings in the upcoming days will include how lifeguards and pool patrons can stay safe during the high heat.

She will be encouraging her staff to drink enough water and use umbrellas and coverings to shield themselves from the sun. The same goes for pool patrons.

“They should also drink water and keep cool,” Hawk said. “If they need the shade, get in the shade.”

Like Hamm, Hawk also is expecting larger crowds this week because of the high temperatures.

“I am putting some extra staff on duty to help with that,” she said.

Tom Vincent, pool president of the Murrysville Swim Club, plans to staff two additional lifeguards each day this week due to the anticipated heat.

“We’re trying to make sure we’re staffed for larger-than-expected crowds,” Vincent said.

He plans to lower the in-pool temperature for swimmers. Ice cream and drinks are fully stocked in the concession stand.

“It’s been a couple years since we had this level of heat, but it’s customary for pools in the summer to handle these types of things,” he said. “It’s not really anything new for us because we’re reacting to the weather. With the way the weather has been, we have to be prepared for these types of situations.”

The club emailed its guests to be prepared for the upcoming heat, Vincent said. For staff, pool officials are stressing the importance of staying hydrated and what to look for in patrons who might be experiencing heat exhaustion.

Fifteen pools in the City of Pittsburgh opened Saturday. Staff at those pools also will be prepared for the heat, city spokeswoman Olga George said.

“Lifeguards are well trained to handle various types of emergencies,” George said. “They will be extra vigilant to look out for any heat-related issues.

“Lifeguards will use proper sun protection such as sunblock, hats, umbrellas and staying hydrated. We recommend pool-goers do the same.”

Allegheny County is preparing for larger-than-average crowds this week, spokeswoman Abigail Gardner said.

The county operates Boyce Park Wave Pool in Monroeville, North Park Swimming Pool in McCandless, Settlers Cabin Wave Pool in Robinson and South Park Wave Pool, which hasn’t yet opened for the summer.

“We have scheduled extra staff for each pool to provide extra water breaks and allow staff to cool off by jumping in the pool,” Gardner said. “We will also cool towels and rags down in coolers of ice for the staff to stay fresh.”

Gardner advised visitors to drink plenty of water, too.

Regardless of the weather, venues such as the Joseph E. Petrarca Memorial Pool in Allegheny Township have improved their amenities for the upcoming season to draw in more people.

“We expanded our concession stand to include things like walking tacos and pepperoni rolls, and we’ve partnered with Glen’s Frozen Custard (in Springdale) to offer some of their desserts,” said Nicole Dunmire, pool manager.

Dunmire said the pool also is offering additional perks for its season pass-holders, including a half-hour of early access in the mornings.

“They can get a window, especially on days when it’s going to be really hot, to get their spot on the grass or early access to our lawn chairs,” she said.

And in addition to typical special events like night swims, Dunmire said the pool is planning to add a toddler-and-parent swim for children 5 and younger, a “Swiftie Swim” for Taylor Swift fanatics and a special-needs swim for those with disabilities.

“We want to be able to not just offer fun things, but also to offer a fun event without all the sensory triggers for patrons with disabilities,” she said.

Leechburg Area Pool plans to entice more visitors with movie nights, Hamm said.

The pool also added new concrete pads to create a more level seating area, as well as two small cabana pavilions that can be rented.

Open season

Here is information on the region’s swimming pools:

Allegheny County

• Boyce Park Wave Pool, Monroeville: Open 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: allegheny county.us or call 724-325-4667.

• Deer Lakes Spray Park, West Deer: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: alleghenycounty.us or call 412-350-4636.

• Sylvan Park pool, Harrison: Open noon to 8 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: sylvanparkpool.org or 724-226-1121.

• Tarentum Spray Park, Tarentum: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: tarentumboro.com or 724-224-1818.

Armstrong County

• Belmont Complex pool, West Kittanning: Open noon to 8 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: 724-548-1067.

• Leechburg Area Pool, Gilpin: Open noon to 8 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: 724-845-8171.

Butler County

• Alameda Park pool, Butler Township: Open 12:15 to 5 p.m. Sundays and Mondays and 12:15 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 724-284-5384.

Westmoreland County

• Joseph A. Petrarca Memorial Pool, Allegheny Township: Open noon to 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: 724-568-3556.

• Laurelville Retreat Center, Mt. Pleasant Township: Open noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Pool hours subject to change. Check Facebook or call 724-423-2056.

• Meadowink Swim Club, Murrysville: Open 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Details: meadowink golf.com or 724-327-8243.

• Murrysville Swim Club, Murrysville: Open 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: murrys villeswimclub.org or 724-327-0713.

• Rogers-McFeely Memorial Pool, Latrobe: Open noon to 6:30 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Details: latroberecreation.org or 724-537-6401.

• Veterans’ Memorial Pool, Greensburg: Open noon to 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: greensburgpa.org or 724-837-4870.

• Youngwood Area Park & Pool: Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Details: youngwood.org or 724-925-3660.