On a picturesque Monday morning at Riverside Pool, city officials kicked off Buffalo’s outdoor swimming pool season.
Six of the city's seven pools are currently open. The seventh, the Allison Pool on Rees Street, is undergoing upgrades and should be ready by this time next year. The splash pad adjacent to the pool remains open.
Mayor Byron Brown was on hand to kick off the swimming season. He said it’s always an exciting time when pool season starts.
“It’s coming right on time, Fourth of July weekend,” he said. “And our families and children throughout the City of Buffalo will be able to enjoy the opening of pools.”
Brown noted that over the past 13 years, the city has invested over $67 million into parks, pools and other recreational facilities. Out of the $67 million, $12 million has gone to pools and splash pads.
With people flocking to pools to escape the summer heat, Acting Public Works, Parks & Streets Director Michael Finn said safety is the number one priority.
“The city provides the use of pools and splash pads for our residents so they can be safe throughout the summer,” Finn said. “We don’t want to see residents using unsafe bodies of water.”
Lovejoy Pool, an indoor pool on East Lovejoy Street, is also closed due to repairs. It is scheduled to reopen in the fall. All outdoor pools and splash pads are open through Labor Day.