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Crowd converges at Plunge for free admission Saturday
1 pool 6-5
Swimmers of all ages flocked to the community pool this weekend, with Opening Day celebrated with free admission for everyone on Saturday, June 1. The ‘Plunge’ is likely to be a busy place this week, with the arrival of the first heat wave of the summer. Marg Jackson/The Leader

With temperatures reaching the mid-80s and bright sunshine bursting through, the scene was picture perfect at Clarence Royse Memorial Swimming Pool in Oakdale – better known as The Plunge – on Saturday, June 1.

“Opening Day went great at the pool. We had about 200 people in attendance,” said City of Oakdale Recreation Services Specialist Alanna Bryant. “The energy was high, kids were excited to be there, the weather was fantastic, and the lifeguards did an incredible job.”

Adding to the large crowd was the fact that it was an admission free Saturday, with everyone enjoying the chance to hit the pool at no cost. Regular admission is $1 for kids, $2 for adults.

“It was a busy weekend overall, as we had roughly 150 people there on Sunday,” Bryant added. “Sundays are usually a little quieter, so we were glad to see that Sunday was almost as busy as Saturday.”

With school out for the summer, the pool is now open for regular swimming, and operates seven days a week. Temperatures in the triple digits this week should bring plenty of swimmers to the North Third Avenue location.

Monday through Thursday hours for open swim are noon to 4 p.m.; with noon to 5 p.m. swimming on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Lifeguards also spend time during the summer teaching swim lessons, with the first session beginning on Monday, June 10.

“Sessions are eight classes, which run for two weeks, Monday through Thursday,” said Bryant. “Each class is 30 minutes in length.”

Four separate two-week swimming lesson sessions are scheduled this summer, with the final session wrapping up on Aug. 1. Registration for upcoming sessions, if spots are available, can be done at oakdalegov.com

“We will have Water Aerobics and Lap Swim available, as well,” noted Bryant.

Friday nights is set aside for a Family Evening Swim, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The staff at the pool this season includes three head guard along with 19 lifeguards and four to work the concessions, with swimmers able to purchase snacks and drinks.

The summer schedule at the pool runs through Friday, Aug. 2 and then will be open weekends only through the end of August.