JOINT BASDE ANDREWS, Md. –
With the weather heating up and the sun shining on Joint Base Andrews, base residents look for ways to beat the heat. One of the best ways for DOD card holders to cool down is the base pool.
Usually the base pool opens Memorial Day weekend, but due to necessary repairs, the pool officially opened June 21 for the 2013 season.
"The pool has overcome many obstacles just to get our doors open," said Alison Mabins, 11th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation director. "The civil engineer team and our lifeguard staff worked feverishly to get the pool open. The joint efforts paid off. The pool is open and our customers are enjoying it."
Customers are enjoying more than just a standard pool on Joint Base Andrews. The pool facilities also offer a baby pool, a splash park, a pavilion and a snack room. The pavilion and snack room are available to rent during pool hours for special occasions. The pool and splash park can also be reserved for a fee after normal pool hours.
"Joint Base Andrews was looking for a water feature that would bring endless fun to a community filled with families," said Mabins. "The splash park is equipped with leapers, mushrooms and other interactive water features that provide hours of fun."
She also added that the splash park has no standing water, so it is completely safe for young children.
Other than the new features, one thing patrons may notice a little different about the pool this year is a fee to use the facility. In previous years, the pool was supported by appropriated funds. Those funds are no longer available. Mabins says the new fee, that covers everything from life guards to supplies needed to maintain the pool, is comparable to fees charged by other pools in the local community.
"We recognize the base pool to be an important facility to the community; therefore we felt it was important to keep our doors open and allow the public to decide whether it's a facility they would like to use with a fee associated," Mabins said.
Passes can be purchased at daily, monthly or season rates. The pool is open this year through Labor Day weekend.
For detailed hours, fees and other information, visit the 11th FSS website at
http://www.andrewsfss.com.