Following several days of Heat Advisories, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board is not able to offer extended hours at swimming pools during the Aug. 4 Heat Advisory for Greene County or through the weekend. Regular pool hours remain in place Aug. 4-6, 1-6:30 p.m., and cooling centers are following their regular schedule.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Greene County for Thursday, Aug. 3, and Friday, Aug. 4. During Heat Advisories, the Park Board strives to keep at least one outdoor swimming pool open until 8 p.m., as well as offer cooling center options. Due to lifeguard staff availability, however, extended hours are not available Aug. 4 or through the weekend, if additional Heat Advisories are announced. Most lifeguard staff members are part-time employees, limited to 28 hours/week. After several days of Heat Advisories, coupled with scheduled special events and required staff training, many lifeguards are now out of hours to work during the current pay period.
Outdoor pools will follow their regular schedule Aug. 4-6, including:
Thursday, Aug. 3
Silver Springs Pool, open 1-8 p.m. (late hours due to due Heat Advisory)
Friday, Aug. 4
Grant Beach, Silver Springs and Westport pools, open 1-6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 5
Fassnight and Meador pools, open 1-6:30 p.m.
McGee-McGregor Wading Pool, open 10 a.m.- 12 p.m and 3-6 p.m.
Silver Springs Pool, open 1-6:30 p.m. with $1 admission all day in conjunction with the Park Day Reunion
Sunday, Aug. 6
Fassnight and Grant Beach pools, open 1-6:30 p.m.
Silver Springs Pool, open 1-6:30 p.m. with $1 admission all day in conjunction with the Park Day Reunion
Regular outdoor pool admission is $4/Youth and Seniors, $5/Adults, 1-5:30 p.m. Admission to all locations drops to $1 or free with a canned food donation every day, 5:30-6:30 p.m., and that discount rate also extends to 8 p.m. when pools remain open late. Food donations benefit Ozarks Food Harvest.
Regular pool hours are 1-6:30 p.m. For information on pool locations, schedules and more, visit ParkBoard.org/Aquatics. Media is not allowed inside pool gates without making prior arrangements.
The public is also welcome to cool off in the water at the Ozarks Stream and Fountain at Jordan Valley Park, 635 E. Trafficway. Fountains run daily, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., with fountain shows every hour on the hour, and a longer show 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
COOLING CENTERS
All three Springfield-Greene County Park Board Family Centers, as well as Jordan Valley Ice Park, open their entrance lobbies as free public cooling centers during Heat Advisories. All lobbies have seating, restroom access and air conditioning. No formal programming is planned.
Family Center cooling centers:
Chesterfield Family Center, 2511 W. Republic Road, 417-891-1616
Dan Kinney Family Center, 2701 S. Blackman Road, 417-891-1500
Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage Ave., 417-837-5900
Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Saturday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Jordan Valley Ice Park’s cooling center:
735 E. Trafficway, 417-866-7444
This cooling center entrance is the east-side doors (facing the Jordan Valley Park fountains) and is open 12-5 p.m. daily during heat advisories.
SPRINGFIELD SKATE PARK
Due to lack of air conditioning, the Springfield Skate Park, 945 W. Meadowmere St., modifies its operating hours during Heat Advisories, and when indoor temperatures exceed 95 degrees. During this Heat Advisory, Skate Park hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m., closed Mondays.
Media is not allowed inside pool gates or indoor facilities without making prior arrangements.
For media inquiries, contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510.
###