Politics & Government

Pinole Swim Center Opens

Swimmers take the plunge on a day that almost didn't happen.

The Pinole Swim Center, after months of uncertainty over its fate, opened its summer season on Saturday, largely as a result of a community-wide effort to save it.

Kids splashed around in the large and kiddie pools, while adults sunned themselves, relaxed and read books on the lawn area at the center on Simas Avenue.

A committee of volunteers hastily organized last year when it appeared that city budget cuts would kill the 2012 swim season for the city-operated pools. Volunteers put together fundraising events and solicited donations. The efforts were enough to get Pinole City Council support for some public funding for the current season. Historically, the city has paid for operation and maintenance costs for the swim center. The Hilltop YMCA contracts with the city to provide staffing.

Find out what's happening in Pinole-Herculesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

New banners, paid for by donations from a variety of businesses and organizations, lined the fencing around the facility Saturday.

The swim center is open to the public and is the home to the Pinole Seals Swim Club. It offers swimming lessons and can be rented for private swim parties.

Find out what's happening in Pinole-Herculesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Pinole-Hercules