St. Albert residents have been seeking solace from summer heat at Grosvenor Outdoor Pool – so many, in fact, that the pool ended up at capacity three times last week. As the mercury soared, and a heat advisory was issued, St.
St. Albert residents have been seeking solace from summer heat at Grosvenor Outdoor Pool – so many, in fact, that the pool ended up at capacity three times last week.
As the mercury soared, and a heat advisory was issued, St. Albert's only public outdoor pool found itself a bit busy.
“Last week in particular, it ... was hot for multiple days in a row, so we did get to pool capacity,” said Sharleen Edwards, manager of aquatic services for the city.
Pool capacity at Grosvenor is 243.
“As required by Alberta Health standards we're not actually allowed to let anymore in than what our pool capacity's at,” Edwards said.
Those who get stuck waiting to get in – and Edwards said there was one time last week where that wait was around 45 minutes to an hour long– are advised by staff of the other aquatic options in St. Albert, like public swim times at Fountain Park and Servus Place as well as the water play park.
“When it's hot people just really want to be able to have that fun swimming time,” Edwards said.
The pools and water play park don't often hit capacity, she said. Last week Grosvenor was at capacity three times, and was full a couple of times in July as well.
“It's not something that happens on a daily basis,” she said.
The Woodlands Water Play Park has a higher capacity because there's no standing water, she said, and has also been popular in the heat.
“We have not exceeded that (capacity) so far this year,” she said.
Edwards noted that the busiest time of day at Grosvenor Pool tends to be the middle part of the afternoon until dinnertime. So those wanting to get in, but not face as big of crowd, might try after supper – Edwards pointed out the pool is open for public swimming until 9 p.m.
