With the hottest days of summer ahead, few things are as welcome as a cooling dip, and the municipal pools in Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe are open and ready to meet anyone's whim to swim.
"We were packed for the Memorial Day weekend; seems like the heat brought everyone out," said Jeff Long, Fort Oglethorpe's director of parks and recreation.
This will be the first year Arlene Crye will not oversee the pool that bears her name at Gilbert-Stephenson Park, but otherwise, everything will be pretty much the same as in years past.
Even though the cost of chemicals to treat the pool's water has about doubled over the past few years, the price of annual memberships and daily swim passes are the same as last year, Long said.
"With the economy the way it is, people aren't spending $2,000 for a Florida vacation but they will buy a family pass for $150 and let their kids swim every day from Memorial Day until Labor Day," Long said.
The same reasoning is used by Ringgold for its Martha Denton Pool.
Debbie King, now in her fifth season as pool manager, said it is to their credit that the Ringgold City Council is more interested in serving the community than making money.
"They want teenagers and families to have somewhere to go and have something to do - particularly after the tornado," King said.
The cost of an annual family membership remains $125 "and that includes grandparents," she said.
Prices might not have changed this year, but pool hours have. The Tiger Sharks swim team practices in the morning and early evening, triathletes train at dawn and, in addition to private parties, the pool is open evenings this year.
"Having night swims is something new," King said. "It was something the council asked for."
Ringgold's Martha Denton Pool
Annual memberships are $125 for families and $60 for individuals whether or not applicants live in Ringgold. Day passes are free for those younger than 3 and $3 for all others.
• The pool is at the corner of Cotter Street and Emberson Drive near the Ringgold Depot.
• The pool is open seven days per week, Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Four nights a week, Sunday through Wednesday, the pool is open from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Night swim fees are $2 for members and $3 for non-members.
• Swimming or diving lessons, beginners through advanced, are available every week until about mid-July. Four 30 minute lessons cost $30 and each lifeguard/instructor has no more than two students.
• The pool can be reserved for parties for a $50-per-hour fee that includes a lifeguard and use of facilities.
For more information about the pool, call manager Debbie King at (423) 315-1382 or (706) 935-SWIM.
Fort Oglethorpe's Arlene Crye Pool
An annual membership of $150 for families living within the city and of $225 for those residing outside Fort Oglethorpe. Daily rates are $4 per person. Residents or non-residents can purchase an individual membership for $75.
• Pool hours are from noon until 6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and is closed for Marlins swim team practice on Monday.
• The pool can be reserved from 6 p.m until 8 p.m. and from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. for private functions.
The pool is at Gilbert-Stephenson Park at the corner of Van Cleve and Norris streets.