For the past two weeks, 90-degree temperatures have been a norm in Indianapolis. The hot air has even prompted Mayor Bart Peterson to activate the city’s extreme heat plan, which extended hours for parks and community centers, set up temporary shelters and cooling centers as well as provide additional assistance to residents.
However, despite the high temperatures, which are predicted to continue through next week, Indy Parks are still closing its pools Aug. 12.
“We’ve always closed the pools around schools schedules,” said Aua Anokwa, Indy Parks’ public information officer.
Asked if the pools could re-open for weekends, Indy Parks Director Joseph Wynns says no because the cost would be “astronomical.”
“You have to keep the pools in circulation,” he said. “If you’re circulating an empty pool, Monday through Friday you’re wasting a lot of chemicals and electricity. If you don’t circulate the pools and try to circulate when you open on Saturday, it takes about 24 hours for the water to turn over for people to swim.”
Anokwa adds, “Between late July and early August pool attendance because of the State Fair and school beginning drops to an extremely low rate,” she said. “You’ll be able to see the difference from this weekend to the next two weekends.”
Realizing people will still need ways to keep cool throughout summer, Anokwa notes that Indy Parks’ spray grounds will be in use including:
- Andrew Ramsey Park, 310 W. 12th St.
- Arsenal Park, 1400 E. 46th St.
- Bowman Park, 3600 Auburn Road.
- Christian Park, 1200 English Ave.
- Douglass Park, 2759 Dr. Andrew J. Brown.
- Haughville Park, 500 Bellview Place.
- Municipal Gardens, 1831 Lafayette Road.
- Washington Park, 3130 E. 30th St.
- Willard Park, 1700 E. Washington St.
- Windsor Village Park, 2501 N. Kenyon St.
- 61st & Broadway Park, 6051 N. Broadway St.
Members of local YMCA’s will be able to swim until Sept. 15.
