Despite gloomy weather, swimmers head out to Utica public pools for opening day
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: June 25, 2012
The public pools in Utica opened their doors Monday afternoon.
The lifeguards say that the crowd was a little smaller than normal and for one, it's the first opening day that's brought clouds and rain instead of sunshine.
However, the gloomy weather didn't stop Donielle McLean from making a splash in Buckley Swimming Pool on Monday.
"It's so fun, you get to swim and stuff!" said Donielle.
In fact, she even has her favorite pool activities.
"Playing in the water, doing some cannonballs," she said.
Donielle was one of the first to experience the water on opening day.
Lifeguard Tom DeBernardis says he was happy to see the swimmers enjoy the day, but says the weather on Monday was typical for opening day.
"It's different. Usually, you expect the first day to be hot and sunny, and you expect to see a lot of kids," said DeBernardis.
With the odd weather, lifeguards do have to take extra precautions.
They say if they rain comes down heavily, and you can't see the bottom of the pool, then the lifeguards have to close up shop for the day.
"It's important the we keep them safe, it's part of our job as lifeguards...so we have to make sure we are aware of the weather conditions, and it's safe for everyone in the pool," said DeBernardis.
And while it might not have been a day full of sunshine, Donielle McLean's pool plans certainly won't stop after opening day.
"I'm going to be coming everyday," she said.
The lifeguards say that the crowd was a little smaller than normal and for one, it's the first opening day that's brought clouds and rain instead of sunshine.
However, the gloomy weather didn't stop Donielle McLean from making a splash in Buckley Swimming Pool on Monday.
"It's so fun, you get to swim and stuff!" said Donielle.
In fact, she even has her favorite pool activities.
"Playing in the water, doing some cannonballs," she said.
Donielle was one of the first to experience the water on opening day.
Lifeguard Tom DeBernardis says he was happy to see the swimmers enjoy the day, but says the weather on Monday was typical for opening day.
"It's different. Usually, you expect the first day to be hot and sunny, and you expect to see a lot of kids," said DeBernardis.
With the odd weather, lifeguards do have to take extra precautions.
They say if they rain comes down heavily, and you can't see the bottom of the pool, then the lifeguards have to close up shop for the day.
"It's important the we keep them safe, it's part of our job as lifeguards...so we have to make sure we are aware of the weather conditions, and it's safe for everyone in the pool," said DeBernardis.
And while it might not have been a day full of sunshine, Donielle McLean's pool plans certainly won't stop after opening day.
"I'm going to be coming everyday," she said.
