Swimmers make a splash opening day at Maytag Pool

Gloria Clement had her very first splash in Maytag Pool during the opening day of the 2021 swim season last week, although it took a little while before the 1-year-old mustered up the courage to dip her hands and booties into the cool water — even with mom’s encouragement.

With the hot sun beating down upon the pool grounds late Friday morning, it was only a matter of time before the little kiddo cooled off with a splash. Then another. And another after that. Soon, that scrunched up nose and those worried eyes disappeared, replaced with a contagious smile from ear to ear.

Others had the same smile splashing around in the water. With a sunny forecast of high 70s and 80s, Newton Community Services Director Brian Laube said it looked like “a good weekend to go swimming” at Maytag Pool. Laube was happy to see folks enjoying themselves on the first day.

“It’s really nice to see people back here again,” Newton Community Services Director Brian Laube said, noting the pool still has a reduced capacity and increased cleaning protocols at this time. “We’re as close to being back to normal as we can be.”

If the pool looks a little brighter to some, Laube said there’s a reason for that. The parks maintenance crews repainted the pool floor and installed three new, large umbrellas that were destroyed in the derecho in August 2020. The concrete diving well was also repaired after a prolonged water leak.

Open swim is held 1-6:45 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. The 2021 pool season closes on August 21, but the dates may changed depending school schedules.

Based on feedback city staff received from parents, Toddler Time was scheduled an hour earlier to 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Laube said the time change shouldn’t change any noticeable staffing amounts.

Lap swim is held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Beginning Aug. 9, Maytag Pool will be closing at 5 p.m. every day of the week.

Daily entry fee is $5. Half-price entry fee is available for $2.50 after 5 p.m. Children 3 and under swim for free. Kids 9 and under must be supervised by a responsible person of at least 15 years of age.

For more information, visit www.newtongov.org/447/Maytag-Pool.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com