All four of West Hartford’s outdoor pools will open for the season on Saturday, June 14, 2024.

Eisenhower Pool. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

By Ronni Newton

School’s out for summer, and as of Saturday, June 15 all four of West Hartford’s outdoor pools will open for public swimming this summer.

Pool locations are:

• Beachland Pool, 847 Quaker Lane
• Fernridge Pool, 567 Fern Street
• Kennedy Pool, 160 Oakwood Avenue
• Eisenhower Pool, 13 Sheep Hill Drive

Open swim and adult swim hours vary by location, and details can be found here.

The pool at Eisenhower Park had been closed for two years (2021 and 2022) following the discovery of a significant leak and other structural issues but after temporary repairs – including caulking and masonry work – were made prior to last summer, two years were added to the pool’s useful life.

The town had initially planned to replace the pool at Eisenhower Park, which was built in 1964, prior to the 2023 season, but an initial response to an RFP issued in 2022 resulted in bids that were $2 million more – nearly double – what had been projected and budgeted. Town Manager Rick Ledwith and Director of Leisure and Social Services Helen Rubino-Turco and others from the town met with several contractors prior to last summer to come up with a plan for the temporary repairs that involved removing a part of the bottom of the pool and re-sealing it while new bids were obtained.

The second round resulted in a bid for roughly $3.6 million for both the pool and the bathhouse according to documents on the town’s website – about $800,000 less than the lowest of the bids received in response to the first RFP.

The project is being funded through the town’s Capital Improvement Program, and Rubino-Turco said the work on the Eisenhower pool and bathhouse is being done in two phases. “The bathhouse renovation is complete, and it will be open for the pool season,” she said in an email. “After pool season ends in August, the pool replacement phase will begin.”

Daily admission to the outdoor pools for West Hartford residents is $5.00 for children and seniors, and $6.00 for adults. Non-resident rates are $7.50 per day for children and seniors and $9.00 for adults. Information about purchasing outdoor pool punch cards can be found here.

For information about registering for swim lessons, which are being run by Cornerstone Aquatics Center staff, click here.

Splash pad at Fernridge Park. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Splash pads are also open at Beachland Park, Fernridge Park, and Kennedy Park and do not require an entrance fee for use. Due to pending construction, the splash pads and bathrooms at Wolcott Park (1341 New Britain Avenue) are closed for the season. Information about splash pad hours can be found here.

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