Toronto extends hours at 10 outdoor pools in September

Toronto will extend the hours of 10 outdoor pools for three weeks in September to help residents beat the expected heat, the mayor says.

Olivia Chow said the extension, which will run from Sept. 2 to Sept. 22, is another way to cool down withwarm weather forecast to persist into next month. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s for at least the next two weeks.

The city is also extending the operationsof its 140 splash and spray pads for two more weeks and ofits supervised swim zones at fourbeaches for one more week.

"Everyone needs a chance to cool down in the next few weeks,"Chow told reporters on Wednesday.

"Normally, the swimming pool closes after Labour Day. And we thought, well, because of climate change, warm weather in the fall is now quite common. And if it's warm, if it's 26 degrees, not raining, people want to be in the pool."

Chow said the city chose the 10 pools based on location, availability of staffand sufficient lighting for evening programming.

Cathy Vincelli, actingdirector of community recreation at the city'sparks, forestry and recreation division, said the extended hours will cost the city about $350,000.

Chow said the city will track usage to see if the extension is worthwhile.

Pools with extended hours will be open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 7 p.m. on weekends. The selected pools are:

• Alex Duff Outdoor Pool, 779 Crawford St.
• Donald D Summerville Outdoor Pool, 1867 Lake Shore Blvd. E.
• Alexandra Park, 275 Bathurst St.
• Riverdale Outdoor Pool, 550 Broadview Ave.
• Heron Park Community Centre, 292 Manse Rd.
• McGregor Community Centre, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
• Goulding Park Community Centre, 45 Goulding Ave.
• Broadlands Community Centre, 19 Castlegrove Blvd.
• Pine Point Arena, 15 Grierson Rd.
• West Mall Outdoor Pool, 370 The West Mall

In a news release on Wednesday, the city said leisure swim will be available at all 10 pools and lane swim will be available at select ones. All other city pools will close on Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.

Wading pools willclose for the season on Sept. 1 at their regularly scheduled time.

As for the city's 140 splash and spray pads, which have been open since May 18, they will continue to operate until Sept. 15 daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The city is also extending supervised swim zones at the following beaches from Sept. 3 to Sept. 8. Lifeguards will be on duty between 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at:

• Woodbine Beach.
• Kew-Balmy Beach.
• Cherry Beach.
• Sunnyside Beach.

Residents can call 311 for more information on extended pool hours and locations and splash and spray pads, or they can go to the city's swimming and water play webpage.

City to offer free dogs-only swim on Sept. 1 and 22

The city will also provide free dogs-only swim at several pools in the last two hours of the operating season at the following pools on Sept. 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The limit is two dogs per adult.

The swim will be available at the following pools:

• Greenwood Park, 150 Greenwood Ave.
• High Park, 1873 Bloor St. W.
• Lambton Kingsway Outdoor Pool, 37 Marquis Ave.
• Monarch Park, 115 Felstead Ave.
• Mitchell Field, 89 Church Ave.
• North Toronto Memorial Outdoor Pool, 200 Eglinton Ave W.
• Northwood Outdoor Pool, 15 Clubhouse Ct.
• Rotary Outdoor Pool, 25 Eleventh St.
• Stanley Park South, 700 Wellington St. W.
• Kiwanis Outdoor Pool, 375 Cedarvale Ave.

On Sept.22, the dog-only swim will be available from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the following pools:

• Heron Park, 292 Manse Rd.
• McGregor Park, 2231 Lawrence Ave E.
• Riverdale Park East, 550 Broadview Ave.