The area’s newest outdoor pool is on track to open with a splash this June.
Harrer Pool, which was completely rebuilt on the site of the previous aquatic center at 6250 W. Dempster St. in Morton Grove, will open with a VIP night on Friday, June 3, the Morton Grove Park District announced.
A grand opening for the public will take place the following day on Saturday, June 4, beginning with a ribbon cutting at 11:45 a.m. and followed by music, contests, activities and giveaways from 12 to 2 p.m.
“We’re going to deck the pool out in a pirate theme,” said David Torres, the park district’s aquatics supervisor, during a meeting of the Morton Grove Park Board on Feb. 16.
The pool’s regular season will last through Aug. 14, followed by a post season through Labor Day. Regular season hours for open swim will be 12 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 12 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 12 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; and 12 to 5 p.m. on July 4, according to the park district.
Early and late mornings will be dedicated to lap swim, swim teams, staff training, camps and classes, according to the daily schedule. Birthday party rentals will also be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon, with other rentals available from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday nights.
Information on the cost of seasonal pool pass memberships and daily rates was not immediately available. Morton Grove Park District Executive Director Jeff Wait said passes will go on sale April 4.
The new Harrer Pool features a six-lane, 50 meter lap pool; a plunge pool with two water slides; a diving pool; a wading pool area for small children with splash features; a new bathhouse; and concession areas.
After voters approved a March 2020 referendum to rebuild the pool, the Morton Grove Park District had hoped to complete the project for the 2021 summer season, but delays in permit approval, likely related to the pandemic, pushed the opening back to 2022.
While the park district is working to attract lifeguards and other employees to staff the pool, Wait did warn of the possibility of staffing shortages, which is something many industries continue to experience.
“We may have to close certain sections of the pool if we don’t have enough staff,” he told the board. “I know it’s not ideal, but it’s the safest thing we can do and still have the pool open.”
All aquatics staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested weekly, Torres said.
Additionally, finding indoor space for lifeguard training ahead of the season has been a challenge, acknowledged Wait. The park district has reached out to Niles West High School and Maine East High School, but neither of their indoor pools have been available, he said.
“That is a challenge we’ll have to overcome,” Wait said.
A 2021 survey of 434 Morton Grove residents found that an indoor pool was the top amenity that respondents indicated they wanted to see within the park district, the Morton Grove Park Board was told during a presentation on Feb. 16.
Information on open lifeguard positions is available at mortongroveparks.com/about-us/job-opportunities/.
Oriole Pool in Morton Grove will also be open for the 2022 summer season, but for a shorter duration than Harrer Pool.
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According to the park district, Oriole, located at 9200 Oriole Ave., will be open from June 11 through Aug. 7 and there will not be post-season hours this year due to plans to paint the activity pool and diving well.
Oriole Pool will offer open swim from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; and 12 to 5 p.m. on July 4, the park district said.