Retreats from the heat
Stillwater’s pools and lakes are available for those looking to escape the hot Oklahoma sun.
The Colvin Center has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool available to OSU students and families. The outdoor pool’s features include a current river and a vortex. The indoor pool has six lap lanes and a 14-foot diving well.
For those not enrolled at OSU, sponsorship with a member at the Colvin Center can provide access to the pool. Members of the Colvin Center can bring up to three guests. It costs $3.26 for a daily guest pass, said Quinton Harris, the aquatics coordinator.
An OSU student’s membership is active as long as he or she is enrolled in any summer school session. Otherwise, students can charge about $92 to their bursar for a summer membership.
Harris said that although the Colvin Center focuses its efforts and availability on the students families are welcome, as well.
Family swim time is from 3 to 8 p.m. during the week, and from noon to 6 p.m. on the weekends, Harris said.
Swim lessons are also available to members and nonmembers as a part of the Infant and Child Learn-to-Swim Program. Parents can sign up their children, depending on their age group, for lessons at the Colvin Center, Harris said.
“I prefer to swim at the Colvin,” Madison McKnight, an early childhood education senior said. “I come here with my friends almost every day and usually always see people I know. I like that there’s different areas to swim in and they do a great job keeping it clean.”
An additional choice for swimming is at The Stillwater Family YMCA.
The YMCA designates time for lap swimming and recreational use for its members. Swimming lessons for kids are available in addition to private, one-on-one lessons, which individual members can arrange.
Membership fees vary between $40-$50 a month, depending on age. For $125, college student can become a summer member at the YMCA.
Collette Corona, an entrepreneurship and performance theater sophomore, has been a lifeguard at the Stillwater Family YMCA since August.
“A lot of students come in the morning for lap swimming, but (throughout the day) it’s never too busy or crowded,” Corona said.
Water aerobics is provided at 9:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday and at 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, Corona said.
Located in Couch Park is the City of Stillwater Municipal Pool. The pool is equipped with six 50-meter lanes, a 12-foot diving well and two slides, according to http://stillwater.org/municipalpool.php.
Season passes are available starting at $35 for an individual and $25 for each additional person.
Lake Carl Blackwell, one of Stillwater’s local lakes, is also available for relief from the summer heat. Not only is swimming available at Lake Carl Blackwell but also fishing, boating and water skiing, according to http://www.lcb.okstate.edu/.
With aquatic options available throughout Stillwater, residents don’t have to travel far from home to find solace from the summer heat.
Swimming Locations and Hours
Colvin Center: Cleveland Street and Hall of Fame Avenue
Outdoor pool: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; noon to 6 p.m. weekends
Indoor pool: 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. weekdays; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekends
Stillwater YMCA: 204 S. Duck St.
Indoor pool: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays
City of Stillwater Municipal Pool: 800 E. 12th Ave.
Lap swim: 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. weekdays and noon to 12:45 p.m. weekends
Open swim: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Lake Carl Blackwell: 11000 W. Highway 51 |
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