Interbay Pool Opens to Swimmers on Wednesday

After two hot summers without their community pool, people in the Palma Ceia area – and anywhere in the city – can start cooling off again Wednesday at the city’s Interbay pool, 4321 Estrella St.

Closed in May 2009, the pool will reopen for open-swim sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Wednesday. It will be open during those hours Wednesdays through Fridays through Aug. 19.

The pool was closed, along with three other city pools, following a 2008 federal mandate requiring the installation of new drain covers for safety reasons. But at some pools, including Interbay, the drain covers interfered with the filtration system that keeps the pool water clean.

After a lengthy  about closed city pools June 23 –during which Interbay wasn’t mentioned – Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced that Interbay would reopen.

"Having our young people in a structured and healthy environment is far better than being unattended and unsupervised," he said in a news release.

Tampa residents who want to use the pool will have to purchase a parks and recreation department pass, available at any city parks outlet. Those are $15 a year for individuals, or $50 a year for families. Single-day guest passes are $10.

For non-Tampa residents, prices are $20 for an individual summer rec pass, or $75 for the family.

In addition, you’ll need a swim pass. Seasonal passes are $25 for individuals and $75 for families, defined as two adults and any children in the home younger than 18. One-day swims are $2 for children and seniors, and $4 for other adults.