NATCHEZ — For the first time, Natchez’s new community swimming pool opened its gates Friday to visitors looking to beat the heat, and both officials and visitors said opening day went off mostly without a hitch.

In fact, 7-year-old Milahn McClain was so impressed, she was already looking forward to the next day as the clock ticked toward closing time Friday.

“I want to come back tomorrow,” Milahn told her mom.

Karena McClain, who brought Milahn and 13-year-old KeyAira Davis to the grand opening, said the group came to the pool approximately 1 p.m. and were in and out until closing time.

“It’s real nice,” Karena McClain said. “I like the atmosphere and the environment.”

She added that having concessions for food and drinks made the pool a great spot to hang out.

“You can pretty much make it a day out here,” she said.

Officials sold 41 daily passes at $5 apiece, one individual membership for $35 and six family memberships for $65 each, YMCA of Natchez Director Alice Agner said. For a Friday, she said the turnout was solid, and it made for a good size that allowed staff to learn the systems without getting overwhelmed.

The only real issue Agner said she saw all day was that some of the visitors — mainly boys — would show up with athletic shorts, when the pool’s rules require bathing suits to swim. Otherwise, however, Agner said the day went well, and she said those instances will likely decrease once people become more aware and familiar with the pool’s rules.

“Really, all in all, it’s been a good day,” Agner said. “I don’t know that it could have gone any better, really.”

With today marking the pool’s opening weekend, Agner said she expected a few more people coming through the gates than Friday.

Agner said she wanted to remind the public that the pool accepts cash, checks and credit cards for concessions.

Moving forward, the aquatics center is still looking to hire more lifeguards. The June lifeguarding class has already filled up, but the YMCA is accepting applicants for the July class, Agner said.

Also, Agner is in the process of recruiting a swim instructor, and she hopes to do that by the end of the month. Afterward, the pool could begin hosting swim classes.

The pool’s open swim hours today are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a half hour of closing for maintenance from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

For more information about the aquatics center, visit the YMCA of Natchez’s Facebook page or call 601-304-2009.