Swimmers line up outside of the Palisades High School pool. Masks and social distancing is required.
Back in mid-March, when I was swimming at least twice a week at the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center through my YMCA membership, I was dismayed (along with all my fellow lap swimmers) when the pool was closed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. I hated losing a favorite source of exercise that is kind to aging joints and one’s mental health.
Fortunately, at long last, the PaliHi pool has reopened under new County regulations per Covid-19. I’ve gone twice and the experience has been organized, civil and refreshing.
Three-day lap swim sessions are posted on Fridays (for Monday through Wednesday the following week) and on Mondays (for Wednesdays through Saturday the following week).
To sign up, go to pool information. You will be asked to pay in advance. Currently, all memberships are on hold, which means we have to pay for each individual session ($11). Senior and student discounts currently require photo ID emailed to bking@palihigh.org.
Swimmers with reservations line up outside the gate (six-foot social distancing) five minutes before their assigned time. Wear a swimsuit because the locker rooms are closed for changing and showering, although one can use the restroom.
Aquatics director Brooke King takes the temperatures of those who have signed up to swim.
People enter the pool deck one at a time. Temperatures are taken. Swimmers are then assigned a lane and go directly to that lane.
For the entire 40 minutes, each swimmer has a lane to themselves. At the 40-minute mark, everyone is notified that they must complete their laps within 10 minutes. .
Handicapped access is available.
The doors to the pool area are closed 10 minutes after the start of each session and “no credit or refund will be given for late arrivals.” People with mobility challenges should email bking@palihigh.org so that a lane can be set aside.
The pool is open for lap swim Monday through Saturday, with time slots at 12:30 to 1:20 p.m., 1:20 to 2:10 p.m. and 2:10 to 3 p.m. Warning: I tried to sign up for the weekend on Thursday and every time slot was filled.
I just got in my 6th swim since the re-open. So nice to have the pool back!! I’m going tomorrow too. Yippee!!!