Benedum Civic Center Open for Swim Lesson Sign-Ups, Pool Rentals on Saturday, April 21
By Julie Perine on April 10, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Bridgeport Pool doesn't open until May 26, but the time to register for swim lessons is upon us. Annually, morning and evening classes fill up quickly on a first-paid basis. To give all interested residents equal opportunity, registration must be completed in person at the Benedum Civic Center.
Saturday, April 21 is the first day to register for the 2018 summer swim lesson series.
"Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and we'll take no phone calls that day," said Michelle Leonard of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation. "This will be the first opportunity to register for swim lessons or arrange pool rentals on available dates. Everything is on a first-serve basis."
There is limited space in all classes and prime spots - late-morning and evening - always fill up fast, said Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth.
“Parents like the classes which take place right before the pool opens so they don’t have to leave and come back to swim,” he said. “Some people need the evening classes, but they are limited too as we have other evening pool programs and events.”
April 21 is also the first day to purchase pool passes and rent pool facilities for this summer, but pool pass photos will not be taken until Tuesday, May 1.
Shuttleworth offered the following tips for speeding up swim lesson registration and/or pool rentals.
Bring a check or cash. We do accept credit and debit cards but the process the City of Bridgeport uses adds a fee to the user and takes longer than a traditional point of sale unit at retail stores.
- Know what swim lesson level your child needs. Descriptions can be found below;
- Obtain a copy of our Summer Activity Guide. It has all the details for pool rentals, Boy Scout room rentals on Thursday and Friday nights and complete listing of swim lessons. Online version HERE
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Extra staff will be on hand to aid in making the process as fast and efficient as possible.
Leonard said it will be beneficial to have an alternative plan. If one swim lesson class is filled or a pool rental date unavailable, have a second-choice in mind.
Bridgeport Parks and Recreation is in the process of hiring lifeguards for this summer. The pool opens to the public 12 p.m. Saturday, May 26. Individual pool passes range from $85 to $115 and family passes range from $110 to $160, depending upon size of family and place of residency.
This summer's "Dive-In Movie" event will be a double feature. Both taking place at Bridgeport Pool will be a July 13 showing of "Sing" and an Aug. 10 showing of "Jumanji." Movies will be projected on a large 16x20-foot screen. Normal pool rates apply. The pool opens at 7 p.m with the movie starting at dusk, around 9 p.m. Pool rafts and floats can be used for movietime viewing.
Printed copies of the 2018 Summer Activity Guide are available at the Benedum Civic Center, 164 West Main Street, Bridgeport.
Look for a forthcoming article about summer camps and other seasonal events later this week on Connect-Bridgeport.
