NATCHEZ — As of June 8, Natchez residents will be able to beat the summer heat in a new community swimming pool. With the grand opening approximately two weeks away, here is everything you need to know about the pool, per YMCA of Natchez Director Alice Agner.

When can you visit the pool?

The aquatics center will be open seven days a week, with certain hours dedicated to public swim each day. Monday through Friday, the pool will be open to the public from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and from 3-6 p.m., with an hour of closing for maintenance between those slots. The pool also will open from 7-9 a.m. on weekdays strictly for lap swim and from 10-11 a.m. for small group or camp swim. Those interested in coming to the pool during small group hours must contact the YMCA beforehand.

Weekends will offer open swim for the public from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays, with a half hour of closing for maintenance from 1:30-2 p.m. each day. The YMCA also offers the option for residents to rent out the pool on weekends during certain hours. Anyone wishing to rent out the pool may contact Agner for details.

Rates

Whether residents plan on visiting the pool just a few times throughout the summer or see themselves as frequent swimmers, the YMCA of Natchez has different plans to accommodate those needs and also offers financial assistance for those who qualify.

Individuals can enter the aquatics center at a rate of $5 per day, while a membership for unlimited access to the pool during normal hours will cost $35 a month.

The YMCA also offers a family plan, in which two adults and up to six children under the age of 18 who live in the same household can all get unlimited access to the pool for a total of $65.

Those who cannot afford those rates can fill out an application with the YMCA for assistance and potentially receive anywhere from 10-50 percent off their fees.

Rules and safety guidelines

Agner stressed that safety is going to be a big emphasis once the pool opens on June 8, and she named some especially important rules to ensure everyone can have fun while still remaining safe.

First and foremost, diving is not allowed at the pool, and those who break that rule will be asked to leave.

But even before then, lifeguards must ensure that those who enter the pool are able to swim. The YMCA will perform swim tests hourly for everyone under the age of 18. Once someone passes a swim test, they will be given a green wristband and employees will make note so that person does not have to take the test upon their next visit. Those who do not pass the test will receive a red wristband and will have to wear a U.S. Coastguard-approved lifejacket while in the pool. The YMCA will have a limited number of these lifejackets available.

Other important rules include:

4 Everyone under the age of 15 must have an adult with them on the premises.

4 All children under the age of 8 who swims must have a parent accompany them in the pool at all times

4 All children under the age of 3 or who are not yet potty-trained must wear a swim diaper

4 No alcohol, tobacco, drugs or weapons are allowed inside the pool

4 No glass is allowed inside the pool

Breaking of these rules could result in suspension of various lengths, and instances of fighting, theft, or being caught with possession of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or weapons will warrant an immediate suspension.

Weather alerts

The pool will close for 30 minutes in the event of a lightning strike in the area complemented by the sound of thunder within 15 seconds of that strike. Residents can sign up for these alerts by texting “NATCHEZ” to the number 84483.

More lifeguards still needed

The YMCA still seeks additional lifeguards leading up to the pool’s opening. Lifeguards can earn up to $10 an hour depending on former training and can work up to 30 hours a week.

The YMCA will offer another training class for lifeguards June 12-13. The course costs $175 and consists of a 300-yard swim using the breaststroke or crawl-stroke, treading water for two minutes using only the legs, retrieving a 10-lb brick from the bottom of the pool to simulate a rescue and exiting the pool without use of stairs or a ladder in under one minute and 45 seconds.

Those who work through the entire summer can receive a full refund of the $175 training costs.

The pool area can contain 25 people for every one lifeguard overseeing the pool, so the YMCA would like as many as possible to handle sizable crowds. Once the area reaches capacity given how many lifeguards are on duty, the staff will have to prevent more visitors from entering the aquatics center until others leave.

Other positions also available

Aside from lifeguards, Agner is also looking hire a couple more people to the pool’s staff.

Those interested or who have other questions about the aquatics center can contact Agner at 601-326-0558 or by email at natchezaquatics@metroymcams.org