Cooling off: Outdoor pools set to open, spray pads already busy

People will soon have another place to cool off from the summertime heat.

Opening dates have been set for outdoor pools in both of Saskatchewan’s biggest cities.

In Regina, Regent Pool is to open June 10. A couple of days later, on June 12, kids can cannonball into Buffalo Meadows Pool, while Maple Leaf Pool is to open for business June 14.

There isn’t a specific opening date for Massey Pool just yet; it’s being repaired, but the city believes it will open the week of June 21.

In a news release, the city also reminded swimmers to stick to COVID measures while at the pool, like using hand sanitizer and bringing their own water bottle.

Changing rooms will not be open, so people are asked to show up in their bathing suits.

In Saskatoon, pools are opening a bit sooner.

The doors are to open at Riversdale Pool on Monday. Lathey Pool is to follows on Wednesday. Then, it’s Mayfair Pool on June 15 and George Ward Pool on June 16.

In the meantime, plenty of people are taking to spray pads to cool down from this heat wave.

980 CJME spoke with families at a couple of spray pads in northwest Regina, and they were all having a great time.

“It’s liberating. It’s pretty awesome. It’s nice to get out, actually see people and have some fun,” one mother said.

“It’s so nice to just be able to actually go to the parks again and get the kids out of the house. They get to do nothing all day and they’re not tuckered out at bedtime, so now we’re back out and getting busy all day,” she continued.

Some parents were brave enough to join their kids in running through the sprinklers, but others stuck to the traditional ways of cooling down.

“Popsicles, (slushies),” one woman said.

“Find those trees for shade,” a man said.

Even in temperatures that hit the 34 C mark, one man was having a blast with his grandson.

“Actually, this is great. I sit here and let him do what he wants to do, and I can just relax,” he said with a laugh.