Fox Valley pool officials hoping for hot summer, high attendance

Last year, the city of Chicago's thermometer broke the 90-degree range only six times.

The colder summer was due in part to El Niño, a general cooling of Pacific-driven temperatures traveling across the continental United States, which left open-air, and even closed-in pools struggling for attendance.

This year, with temperatures already breaking into the high 80s in late May, pool officials are praising the outlook of their upcoming seasons, as they hope the warm weather trends will continue.

Many park districts open their outdoor pools this weekend.

Jeff Long, public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District, said the increased temperatures could greatly benefit the pool's success.

"We need to have temperatures like we had this last weekend every day. It's the perfect pool weather, and will guarantee wet and wild fun every day," he said.

The Fox Valley Park District, which serves more than 200,000 people, will open its two locations on June 5. Long said a unique addition to this season is the special treatment to season pass holders.

Beginning Monday, May 24, season pass holders will receive a complimentary, one-day friend pass and free drawstring bag with purchase. Holders will also receive exclusive rights to the parks on Fridays, when doors will open an hour earlier, at 11 a.m., specifically to cater to season pass holders.

"It's unique because they will have the park to themselves for an hour. An hour without the general public," he said.

Greg Bruggeman, aquatics supervisor for the city of Elgin, said although the Adventure Island and Lap Pool are open year-round, the park will shift its hours for the summer so that it may stay open and available to the public into the evening.

"I think one of the things that having these summer hours allows us to do is to service our residents as best as we can. It allows us to provide everyone a great alternative to an expensive vacation," he said.

"It's a great alternative for families who are sitting around doing nothing or very little. That's what we look for at the beginning of each summer - how can we best serve our citizens and users while providing a safe and affordable alternative," Bruggeman continued.

Dive in!A list of area pools and when they are open.AlgonquinAlgonquin Swimming Pool and Splashpad, 599 Longwood Drive. Opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 29; open 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through June 8; 1 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, June 9 to Aug. 15; 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Aug. 16 to 29; 12 to 6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, May 29 to Aug. 29. $5 for residents, $3 for nonresidents. Call (847) 458-7677 or visit algonquin.org/recreation.AuroraPhillips Park Family Aquatic Center, 828 Montgomery Road. Opens at noon, Saturday, June 5. Open noon to 7 p.m. Mondays-Sundays; 11 a.m. entry for season pass holders on Fridays until Aug. 22. $7 for residents on weekdays, $8 on weekends. $8 for nonresidents on weekdays, $9 on weekends. $6 for resident children 2-12 on weekdays, $7 on weekends. $7 for nonresident children 2-12 on weekdays, $8 on weekends. $5 for senior residents on weekdays, $6 on weekends. $6 for senior nonresidents on weekdays, $7 on weekends. $4 for residents and $5 for nonresidents after 4 p.m. Children younger than 2 admitted free. Call (630) 851-8686 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.Splash Country Water Park, 195 S. Barnes Road. Opens at noon Saturday, June 5. Open noon to 7 p.m. Mondays-Sundays, 11 a.m. entry for season pass holders on Fridays until Aug. 22. $7 for residents on weekdays, $8 on weekends. $8 for nonresidents on weekdays, $9 on weekends. $6 for resident children 2-12 on weekdays, $7 on weekends. $7 for nonresident children 2-12 on weekdays, $8 on weekends. $5 for senior residents on weekdays, $6 on weekends. $6 for senior nonresidents on weekdays, $7 on weekends. $4 for residents and $5 for nonresidents after 4 p.m. Children younger than 2 admitted free. Splash Country / Blackberry Farm combo $8 for residents, $10 for nonresidents. Call (630) 906-7981 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.Vaughan Aquatic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail. Opens at noon Saturday, June 5. Open 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $6 for residents, $8 for nonresidents. $5 for student residents, $7 for student nonresidents, $4 for senior residents, $6 for senior nonresidents. Children younger than 2 admitted free. Call (630) 907-9613 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.BataviaHarold Hall Quarry Beach, 400 S. Water Street. Opens at noon Monday, June 14. Open noon to 6 p.m. every day until Aug. 15. $7 for residents, $10 for nonresidents. Call (630) 406-5275 or visit bataviaparks.org.CaryCommunity Pool, 255 Briargate Road. Opens at 11 a.m. Friday, June 4; open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Aug. 8; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays Aug. 9 to 20. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays beginning Aug. 14. $5 for residents, $8 for nonresidents, $3 for youth residents, $8 for youth nonresidents, free for guests age 2 and younger. Call (847) 639-6100 or visit carypark.com.Dundee TownshipDolphin Cove Family Aquatic Center, 300 N. Kennedy Drive, Carpentersville. Opens 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 9; open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Aug. 13. Open weekends only for Aug. 14, 21-22, 28-29 and Sept. 4-6. $5 for residents, $7.50 for nonresidents, $4 for resident children (3-9) and seniors, $6 for nonresident children and seniors. Call (847) 836-7946 or visit dtpd.org/pools.The Indoor Pool, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. Open year round. Beginning June 9, 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $2.75 for residents, $3.25 for nonresidents. Call (847) 428-7131 or visit dtpd.org/pools.ElginAdventure Island / Lap Pool, 100 Symphony Way. Open year-round. Summer hours begin Saturday, June 5. Leisure pool, 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Lap pool, 4 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $7 for residents, $8 for nonresident, $6 for youths and senior residents, $7 for youths and senior nonresidents. Call (847) 531-7030 or visit il-elgin2.civicplus.com.Lords Park Family Aquatic Center, 325 Hiawatha Drive. Opens at noon Saturday, June 5; open 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 1 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays, noon to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. $6 for residents, $8 for nonresidents, $4 for resident youths, $6 for nonresident youths; $5 for resident seniors, $6 for nonresident seniors. Call (847) 931-6196 or visit il-elgin2.civicplus.com.Wing Park Family Aquatic Center, 1030 Wing Park Blvd. Opens at noon Saturday, June 5; open noon to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon to 7:30 p.m. Fridays, noon to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. $7 for residents, $9 for nonresidents, $5 for resident youths and seniors, $7 for nonresident youths and seniors. Call (847) 289-2542 or visit il-elgin2.civicplus.com.GenevaSunset Pool, 710 Western Ave. Opens at noon Saturday, May 29. Open noon to 8:30 p.m. daily. $7 for residents and $10 for nonresidents over 60, $8 for residents and $12 for nonresidents 18-59, $7 for residents and $10 for nonresidents 3-17. Call (630) 232-0747 or visit genevaparks.org.HuntleyStingray Bay Family Aquatic Center, 12219 Lois Lane. Opens at noon Saturday, May 29. Open noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend, May 29-31. Normal operating hours, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. $7 for residents 55 and older, $8 for residents 18-54, $6 for residents 4-17, free for residents 3 and younger, $9 for nonresidents 55 and older, $10 for nonresidents 18-54, $8 for nonresidents 4-17, free for residents 3 and younger. $4 for residents and $6 for nonresidents after 5 p.m. Call (847) 515-7665 or visit huntleyparks.org.Lake in the HillsButch Haegle Beach, 71 Hilltop Drive. Opens 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29. Guarded 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Sundays through Aug. 22. Lake Use Tag (unlimited usage) $40 for residents, $60 for nonresidents. Daily admission $2 for residents, $5 for nonresidents. Call (847) 960-7460 or visit lith.org.Indian Trail Beach, 228 Indian Trail. Open year-round. Guarded 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Sundays. Lake Use Tag (unlimited usage) $40 for residents, $60 for nonresidents. Daily admission $2 for residents, $5 for nonresidents. Call (847) 960-7460 or visit lith.org.Sleepy HollowSleepy Hollow Pool, 875 Winmoor Drive. Opens 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 9. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Aug. 15. $5 for residents, $7.50 for nonresidents, $4 for resident children (3-9) and seniors, $6.50 for nonresident children and seniors. Call (847) 551-4316 or visit dtpd.org/pools.St. CharlesOtter Cove Splash Park, West Side Community Park, corner of Campton Hills and Peck Roads. Opens 11 a.m. Saturday, May 29. Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays until June 3. Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from June 4 to Aug. 24. Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Aug. 25 to Sept. 6. $3 for residents, $6 for nonresidents. Call (630) 587-2385 or visit st-charlesparks.org.Swanson Pool at Pottawatomie Park, east of Pottawatomie Community Center. Opens at 1 p.m. Friday, June 4. Open 1 to 5:30 p.m., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays until Aug. 8. Open from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays from Aug. 9 to 24. $4.50 for residents and $9 for nonresidents 15 and younger, $5.50 for residents and $11 for nonresidents 16 and older. Weekdays after 6:30 p.m. and weekends after 6 p.m. $3 per person. Call (630) 584-3314 or visit st-charlesparks.org.False20001310Ed Murzinski gets splashed in the face by his grandson Mac, 6, at Pottawatomie Pool in St. Charles.RICK WEST/Daily Herald 2008False