Alle-Kiski Valley pools poised to make a splash

Local pools are prepped and ready for a sizzling summer swim season.

Alle-Kiski Valley residents have several options to cool off, including sites in Harrison, Allegheny Township, Leechburg and Kittanning.

“Last weekend was so ridiculously hot, it was definitely a good start to the season,” said Gianna Kraus, a Kiski Area senior and second-year lifeguard at the Joseph A. Petrarca Memorial Pool, which opened Saturday.

Most people refer to the site as the Vandergrift Pool, even though it is along La Belle Vue Road in Allegheny Township.

Open noon to 7 p.m. daily, it features a large spiral slide that’s on a complex made private by a border of trees.

The cost for a one-day pass is $7, or $4 after 5 p.m. There is no admission fee for children 2 and younger.

Kraus said a lot of people are drawn to the pool for its extra water features.

“We have two diving boards and a kiddie pool with a mushroom spout that people love,” she said.

New pool manager Michelle Terry said about 20 lifeguards will staff the pool this summer.

Sylvan Park in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison also enjoyed a booming opening weekend over the Memorial Day holiday. Wall-to-wall crowds enjoyed the whale’s tale, baby pool, dedicated lap lanes and diving area.

According to the park’s social media pages, more than 350 people packed the pool Monday when temperatures crept toward the 90s.

Highlights of this season’s happenings include live musicians on site, with guitarist Anthony Tamarella performing June 18.

Staff members said extensive upgrades were planned for the pool’s popular slide this year.

The complex along Sylvan Avenue is open from noon to 7 p.m. daily. A day pass costs $10. It drops to $7 after 4 p.m. Children 2 and younger are admitted free.

In Leechburg, the pool along Park Road marks its 60th season.

Opening day is Saturday, and manager Lisa Hamm said there will be lots to celebrate all summer long.

“Movie nights were a big hit last year, so we’re going to have seven or eight of them this year,” Hamm said.

First up will be the 1970s thriller “Jaws,” at 8:30 p.m. June 11. Members are admitted to the features for free; nonmembers pay $5.

“When the sun goes down, the movie starts on the big blow-up screen, and people can lounge on the lawn or splash around in the pool,” she said.

Movie nights are open to everyone.

“We have a lot of lawn area for everyone to spread out, and we also have shade, which is nice,” Hamm said.

In addition to movie nights, Hamm said the big draw at the pool is the three diving boards and the big blue slide, which “has been there for as long as anyone can remember.”

Day rates at the Leechburg Area Pool are $7 for ages 5 to 61; and $5 for those 62 or older, military personnel and first responders. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily.

Concessions will feature specialty items such as walking tacos and homemade donuts.

In West Kittanning at the Belmont Complex, longtime manager Gary Montebell is ready to spring open the gates Saturday and welcome what he hopes will be steady crowds for the next three months to the Olympic-size pool.

The spacious pool campus offers a mushroom that sprays water and a spiral slide that drops swimmers into the pool after a 150-foot, fast-paced thrill ride.

“We have a friendly environment and plenty of space,” Montebell said of the property, which has been in operation for more than 50 years.

A new feature, Food Truck Wednesdays, is expected to be a big draw this summer.

“We’re trying to get as many as we can,” Montebell said. Options could include tacos, funnel cakes, smoothies or BBQ.

Day passes cost $7 and drop to half-price at 5 p.m.

Swimmers will pay half-price on Flag Day, June 14; and the July Fourth holiday.

On Father’s Day, dads get in free.

Montebell said he still is looking for part-time employees to round out his staff. If enough guards are on the clock, the pool will offer swim lessons.

The pool, along Butler Road, is open from noon to 8 p.m. daily.