2 Edmonton outdoor pools open for season, 2 more to open in following weeks
Thursday's overcast weather didn't stop Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack from turning up to Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool's grand opening in swimming trunks, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
"I wish it was a slightly sunnier day," he said, speaking to media before the 11 a.m. opening, but nonetheless Knack said he felt "ready to jump in the pool."
And that he did.
"I'm just going to hang out here for the rest of the day. Can I tune into the council meeting for the rest of the day?" he asked, floating by the edge.
Two of the city's public outdoor pools are already open: Fred Broadstock and Queen Elizabeth. Oliver and the natural Borden pools are scheduled – weather permitting – to open June 3 and June 10, respectively.
This year, the city is returning to a full-season schedule like it operated before the pandemic, meaning pools opened in May as soon as weather – and air quality, this year – allowed and won't close until the September long weekend.
The price of doing so is $234,000, Knack said.
"We're still trying to be very careful with every dollar that we spend, but this is one of those things that I think most people just see and say, 'Yeah, that's worth investing in,'" the councillor explained.
"I love this pool in particular. Like, right in the middle of a community, so close to so many families… You look around these communities where some of these outdoor pools exist, there aren't as many other amenities for them, so this is that spot. This is the community hub."
Pool reservations can be made online. Reservations are not required but "encouraged," the city says, to reduce lineups. Spots can be booked up one week in advance.
Outdoor pool admission is included with all city recreation centre memberships as well as the Summer Youth Pass, which goes on sale June 19. Children aged 12 and under can go to outdoor pools for free.
Edmonton's pools counted nearly 96,000 visitors over July and August in 2022.
Mill Creek Outdoor Pool, which is under construction, will be closed for the season and is expected to open next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

One in 14 Canadians left hospitals without receiving care due to long wait times in 2022
The number of Canadians who visit emergency departments across the country only to give up and leave before they receive any care has increased more than fivefold, according to new data collected by CTV News.
Liberal MP sides with Conservatives on failed motion to 'repeal all carbon taxes'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest unsuccessful attempt to call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to repeal his carbon pricing system has secured the support of one Liberal MP.
Too much Taylor? Travis Kelce says NFL TV coverage is 'overdoing it' with Swift during games
Maybe there's too much Taylor, not enough Travis. Travis Kelce agreed Wednesday with the idea that NFL TV coverage has been "overdoing it" with the amount of times Taylor Swift has been on screen while attending his Kansas City Chiefs' games the last two weeks.
Here's how much it costs to raise children in Canada, according to new statistics
A new report from Statistics Canada estimates how much parents will spend on children over the course of their lifetime.
Food inflation has nearly half of Canadians prioritizing cost over nutrition: survey
Under pressure from high food prices, a new survey shows almost half of Canadians are prioritizing the cost of their groceries instead of nutrition.
Rideau Hall apologizes for honouring Nazi veteran, Trudeau 'carefully' considering unsealing records
Rideau Hall is apologizing for the historic appointment of a man who fought for a Nazi unit in the Second World War, to the Order of Canada. Now, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon's office says it is examining two subsequent medals granted in the last two decades. This, as Jewish advocacy groups say the recent and resurfacing recognitions further make their case for the need to unseal Holocaust-related records.
Kinew pledges to search landfill for remains of First Nations women, but says federal role wasn't part of conversation with PM
Manitoba premier-designate Wab Kinew insists he will keep a commitment to search the Prairie Green landfill for the remains of two First Nations women who are suspected to have been victims of an alleged serial killer.
Canada-India tensions: How we got here and what's at stake
In the past month, Canada has accused the Indian government of being involved in a murder on Canadian soil and India has ordered Canada to remove most of its diplomats from the country. Here's how the two countries got to this point, as well as what's at stake if tensions don't ease.
Toronto Blue Jays eliminated from playoffs
The Toronto Blue Jays have been eliminated from the MLB playoffs.