Photos by Samantha Bengtson
Youth swim and play at the Soledad-Mission Recreation District’s indoor pool during a hot summer day.
SOUTH COUNTY — Hot summer days are upon the residents of South Monterey County, and one way to stay cool during those warm days is jumping into one of the pools in King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales.
The slide at the King City Pool just celebrated its 30th birthday at the end of June and is still running and open to the public. There are three other pools that patrons can swim in as well, the wading pool, the diving pool and the lap pool.
“Currently we’re in session four of our swim lessons,” said Manuel Correa, pool manager. “For the past three sessions, swim lessons have been at full capacity.”
According to Correa, the pool started a brand new junior lifeguard program, in which the junior guards act like volunteers and get to see what the lifeguards do during the day and come to the biweekly trainings. Also, the staff at the King City Pool is planning to host “Teen Nights” again and is working on the days and times for those. The last session of swim lessons starts July 24.
In Greenfield, the pool season is in full swing at Oak Park. The Greenfield Pool is open every day of the summer from noon to 3 p.m. for recreation swim. Swim Lessons are Monday through Thursday.
For those who want to host summer birthday pool parties, the pool is open every day for reservations from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“It’s been a really good summer and we would like more people to come out here,” said lifeguard Regina Perez. “We have been reaching at least 40 people daily. It’s a good way to bring the kids out. We’re here, we’re certified and we know what we’re doing.”
The only indoor pool is located in Soledad as part of the Soledad-Mission Recreation District.
“Right now we are in the midst of swim lessons for summer,” said Ashleigh Burgos, program coordinator. “We are also running several different programs right now. We have tennis, track, guitar lessons and cheer.”
Soledad Rec is hosting “Late Night Swims” on different Fridays throughout the summer from 9 to 11 p.m.
The Rec is also hosting “Movies in the Park” behind the pool facility at Rotary Park.
Gonzales Community Pool hosted another Dive-in Movie Night on July 13, featuring Disney’s “The Incredibles.”
The pool is open for family swim, recreation swim and pool parties.
