City pool open for business

Summertime brings the heat and what better way to cool off than a day of swimming? The Bonners Ferry Municipal Pool offers community members exactly that.

The pool opened June 11 and is open seven days a week through Aug. 11, although city administrator Lisa Ailport is hoping to extend the season.

“The city applied for a grant to the Equinox Foundation to extend the pool season three additional weeks this year,” she commented. “If successful, which we will learn in the coming weeks ... we plan to extend the pool season until Sept. 4. We applied to the Equinox Foundation for around $15,000 to cover expenses with operating the pool as well as to purchase an AED [automated external defibrillator] for the facility.

“As the community is aware, each year we shut down the pool in mid-August due to guard availability. Many of our guards head back to school or have other commitments that prevent them from be[ing] available at the pool. This season we have prepared our guards ... for the extended season early on and the mayor and council are excited to be able to give this opportunity to the community without having to charge daily pool rates or ask our community to fund the pool with higher tax rates.”

“Fingers crossed the community will get the grant funding,” Ailport added.

The city has also hired a new pool manager this year, community member David Hatch, who brings over 30 years of experience as a lifeguard.

“We are very fortunate to have found such an asset like this in our community,” said Ailport. “I am very hopeful that with David’s guidance the programs at the pool will improve and we will be able to serve the community more with the pool and park facility.”

Pool staff members will be offering water aerobics classes as well as swimming lesson sessions starting June 21. Fees are listed as $30 for city residents and $40 for non-city residents.

There will also be a class for special needs individuals July 12 to 16. This class is offered every year for children or adults who have a disability, either physically or mentally.

“Generally speaking the student will have a care provider or assistant in the pool with them,” Ailport said. “The class is tailored [for] these students' needs, which generally aren’t at the same level as the open swim classes.”

The pool opens at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday, typically for lap swims and lessons with open swim and family swim times in the afternoon and early evening. Weekends open at 12:30 p.m.

The pool is also available for private party rentals, outside of normal hours.

For more information or to fill out a swim lesson application visit https://bonnersferry.id.gov/municipal-pool/ or call 267-3105.