Free swim passes available through Spokane Parks Foundation
With temperatures reaching into the 90s this week, qualifying families can find relief from the record-breaking heat through Make a Splash in a Kid’s Life free swim pass handouts along with Free Swim Fridays open to the public.
This year, the program, run through the Spokane Parks Foundation, is giving out more than 1,200 passes throughout Spokane County, Heather Beebe-Stevens, executive director of the parks foundation, said. The final two pass handouts will be at Cheney outdoor pool, 750 Cedar St., Friday starting at 4 p.m., and Spokane Valley Partners, 10814 E. Broadway Ave., Monday beginning at 9 a.m.
Free Swim Fridays begin June 17 at Cheney outdoor pool from 1-5 p.m. and rotate to a different pool and time each week.
To get children ready for swimming season, the Spokane Parks Foundation is hosting a free swim clinic Saturday at Witter Pool, 1300 E. Mission Ave. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. for a limited number of spots. Partnering with the Spokane Police Department, Spokane Fire Department and city of Spokane lifeguards, the department is creating a five- station clinic focusing on safety both in and around water.
Parents or guardians looking to pick up a free swim pass must bring an application, available online, and proof of eligibility, including a Washington state medical card, free or reduced lunch letter, or food stamp card.
After the initial pass handouts in city of Spokane and Spokane County last Saturday, a limited supply of passes remain for those area pools. Families should call the Spokane Parks Foundation office to check availability or get on the waiting list.
Donations to support the program are accepted through the Spokane Parks Foundation website, and swimsuit donations are also accepted to be distributed through community partners, Beebe-Stevens said.
Some area pools are open this weekend. Here’s a look at open swim times at area pools.Many also offer lessons and lap swim times.
Cheney: Opens Friday, with open swim Mondays through Saturdays, 1-5 p.m., see a full schedule at www.cityofcheney.org /index.php?section= recreation-pool. Admission is $2.25. A family swim time from 6-8 p.m. Fridays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays is $3 per family of four.
Spokane Valley: Valley Mission is open Saturday through Aug. 27; Park Road, June 18-Sept. 4; and Terrace View, June 18-Sept. 5. Open swims are daily from 1-5 p.m., evening swims 5:30-8 p.m., dates vary by location. Visit www.spokanevalley.org/ pools for a complete schedule. Admission is $1 per person.
Spokane County: The Northside and Southside aquatic centers are open daily from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., June 17-Aug. 21, plus Friday nights 6 p.m.-dusk. Admission is $5 for people 6-59, $2.50 for 3- to 5-year-olds, and $4 for 60 and older. Visit www.spokanecounty.org/ 1644/Aquatics for more details.
Spokane: City pools are open June 20-Aug. 27, with open swims daily from 1-4 p.m. and Mondays through Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m., except at Witter. Find a complete schedule at my.spokanecity.org/ recreation/aquatics/. Admission is $2 for children 4-17 and seniors, $4 for adults.