Summer chill changes scene at area pools

Folks looking to make a splash at area pools Tuesday might have found the water open, but not necessarily inviting on an abnormally chilly summer day.

Centennial Beach in Naperville remained open because the temperature topped the air temperature threshold of 65 degrees, but Brad Wilson, director of recreation, said swimmers were few and far between. Most of those at the beach were summer camp participants who spent the majority of their time in the sand or picnic areas.

"Not many of the participants within the camps actually swam, but they were certainly able to use the other amenities we have in the park," Wilson said.

Cool mornings also have been a challenge for swim lessons at the beach, which Wilson said have been rescheduled when temperatures have not risen to the mid-60s.

In Wheaton, the park district's Rice Pool and Northside Aquatic Center were closed Tuesday because the air temperature didn't reach the required 68 degrees.

"We've been very lucky so far this summer and haven't had this," said Wendy Russell, the park district's aquatics safety manager.

Occasionally closing the pools due to cool weather isn't unusual, Russell said, but that it happened in mid-July is a bit odd.