More than 300 safety-certified lifeguards are ready to welcome Chandler residents and East Valley guests to the city’s six aquatic facilities for a summer of fun for all ages. Whatever your swimming ability, at Chandler pools and aquatic centers you can find amenities and programs that serve the recreational needs of you and your family.
The six aquatic facilities opening their gates for the summer include Arrowhead Pool, Desert Oasis Aquatic Center, Folley Pool, Hamilton Aquatic Center, Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center, and Nozomi Aquatic Center. Five of these facilities will open for Memorial Day weekend on Friday, May 24, with the Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center reopening on May 25 after completing a significant refurbishment.
Chandlers Aquatics Superintendent Chris Smith says the availability of low-cost swim lessons, various water-centered recreation and fitness programs, new active play amenities and open swim sessions at all facilities are intended to provide a season filled with fun and safety for residents and visitors alike.
A new addition this summer to Arrowhead Pool will delight children and families — an inflatable obstacle course known as a Wibit. Smith said, “Wibit is a floating challenge course, the kids can climb, navigate through obstacles, and slide back into the water,” offering a novel and exciting way to enjoy the pool.
The most significant change this season is the restructuring of the swim lesson registration process. “The new system allows parents to choose a lesson time slot that best fits their schedule, rather than selecting a class based on their child's swimming ability,” Smith said. Upon arrival to class, lifeguards will assess each child's skills and group them with peers of similar abilities. This flexible arrangement is particularly beneficial for families with multiple children, as it allows them to attend and observe multiple sessions simultaneously, reducing some of the logistical stress for parents. The swim lessons are priced affordably for residents and non-residents.
Chandler Aquatics does not stop at swim lessons. It also hosts competitive and recreational programs like the new 'Little Mermaids' artistic swim program, an introductory course to synchronized rhythmic swimming, Additionally, the Splash BallTM program serves as a fun introduction to water polo, teaching children the basics of the game in a non-contact, kid-friendly environment. For those looking for a challenge, the recreation swim team remains a popular choice, with participants working on their swim strokes during the week and competing against other local teams on Saturdays.
Beyond competitive swimming, Chandler Aquatics also offers classes for Diving, Paddleboard Fitness, Aqua Fit, a high-intensity workout called Aqua Boxing, and Aqua Tone for whole-body exercise. Select facilities also offer year-round lap swimming early in the morning and in the evening to accommodate fitness enthusiasts.
For youth ages 11-15 who hope to one day work at one of Chandler’s aquatic centers and pools, the Junior Lifeguarding classes help students improve their swimming skills and physical fitness in preparation for applying to be a lifeguard in the future, after they turn 15 years of age. The program includes water safety and first-aid training.
Water safety is always a priority for Chandler Aquatics, and the division partners with the Chandler Fire Department and Chandler Police Department on several events during the summer. The next event will be the annual Verano Sano at Folley Pool on June 8 from noon to 2 p.m. This free event, in partnership with SRP, will include music, giveaways, lifesaving lessons and safety demonstrations. Moreover, in August — recognized as Drowning Impact Awareness Month — the city will provide free swim lessons at Folley Pool. Throughout the summer, free and discounted lessons are available through goodwill scholarships (through a grant from SRP) for those who qualify, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder water safety education. Registration for free lessons at Folley Pool opens on June 18 at 10 a.m. for Chandler residents.
All of these programs and special events, plus more than 300 trained lifeguards, over 40 pool managers, and a team of six maintenance staff all combine to ensure that Chandler pools and aquatic centers are safe, clean, accessible and – most of all – fun and exciting for all pool-goers. Smith added, “Come out to any of our pools and aquatic centers and let’s all make this a summer to remember.”
For more information, including pool locations, hours and phone numbers, or to register for swim lessons and other classes and programs, visit Chandler Aquatics.
This article appeared in the San Tan Sun News.