PCC Opens Its Olympic-Sized Pool to the Public for Recreational, Lap Swims

Pasadena City College has opened its Olympic-size swimming pool to the public for recreational and lap swims through August 2, according to an announcement PCC posted on its website.

There is a small fee when you enter the pool area, whether to swim or not, payable daily at the pool, and lockers are not available for public use. So swimmers should come ready to swim, and no street clothes will be allowed in the pool.

Recreational swim is available Monday through Thursday, 1:14 to 4:45 p.m., and Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lap swim is available Monday through Thursday, 11:45 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday at 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except this July 5 when lap swim can continue until 7 p.m.

Lap swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards unassisted.

PCC’s aquatic center can be accessed from the first floor of the W building at the campus, either through the north or south entrance. The closest parking lot is Lot 3 at Del Mar Blvd. and Hill Avenue for $2 a day via a ticket dispenser, and there is street parking on neighboring Hill or Cordova Street.

Recreational swimming costs $3, and lap swimming costs $5.

PCC’s 50-meter Olympic pool offers swimmers one- and three-meter diving boards, but swimmers need to show swimming proficiency before being allowed on them.

A handicapped access ramp is available at the northern end, as well as a and a four-foot shallow area.

PCC keeps the pool heated at 79.1 to 80.1 degrees, but it can get warmer with warmer summer temperatures.

Standard safety rules apply at the pool. Kickboards are available on a first-come first-served basis. No flotation devices or toys are permitted. If you wish, you can bring your own swim goggles.

During the summer, PCC offers four two-week swimming lessons for $89 each. Each session is 40 minutes and takes place Monday through Thursday for two weeks. The teacher-to-student ratio is one instructor to four students for pre-schoolers and ranges up to one to eight for adults.

For more information, visit www.pcclearn.org/swim/recswim.htm.