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KINGSTON — Saturday proved to be the perfect day for the seasonal opening of the Kingston Community Pool, as hundreds flocked to the water to beat the heat.
This will be the second summer for the newly renovated pool, which includes two waterslides, two diving boards, a wave pool and accommodations for those with disabilities.
Lifeguard director Bobby Jacobs said he had high hopes for the season, and couldn’t have asked for a better opening day. Within one hour of opening, more than 120 patrons had already accessed the pool, he said, and he expected many more through the day as temperatures soared into the 80s.
“It’s a nice, calm day,” he said as he watched over swimmers. “It’s a good day to break in everybody, and a good showing for the first day.”
While children could be heard gleefully splashing around, 1-year-old Natalia DeVeiga explored the kiddie area. As Natalia walked under a waterfall, her mother, Laura, said she enjoys bringing her family to the pool every summer.
“It’s a nice place to come out and let the kids go and beat the heat,” the Kingston resident said as she followed her daughter.
Natalia gave a smile and nodded in approval of her mother’s statement, adding that she likes the water just fine.
While children chose to cool down in the shimmering blue waters, many parents preferred to take advantage of the sun’s rays as they lounged on one of the many white pool chairs that line the perimeter. One of those chairs was occupied by Kenny Jordan, who has been bringing his family to the Kingston pool for years.
Jordan and his wife, Melissa, decided to bring their sons Cameron and Quincy to the pool on Saturday for a family outing. He said his children love all the pool’s newest additions, especially the slides and wave pool.
“It’s a fun place to be in the summertime,” he said. “The weather is beautiful, it’s a nice spring day to get out and enjoy family and friends. You can’t beat it.”
While Kingston residents were lining up to hand in their residency forms for summer passes, the borough’s director of parks and recreation had a message for their neighbors in Forty Fort: Welcome!
Director Greg Kriner announced that the borough will recognize all Forty Fort residents who wish to obtain a family pass to the Kingston pool, and will offer the passes at the price for Kingston residents. He said the decision came after hearing the news that Forty Fort will not be opening their own pool this season due to a leak, and didn’t want to leave the neighboring borough and its residents out in the heat for the summer.
“We feel bad they don’t have a pool to use for the summer this year,” Jacobs added.
Hours of operation, admission rates and more information for the 2017 pool season can be found by visiting the Kingston Community Pool Facebook page.
