It wasn't that long ago that we were talking about when Eastern Iowa pools would open. That announcement is always "a sure sign of summer". Another sure sign of summer is that it goes too quickly and we're now talking about pool closing dates. Bummer.

After Cedar Falls announced earlier this week that its Falls Aquatic Center would close for the season more than a week earlier than usual, on August 14, the Cedar Rapids Parks & Recreation Department detailed the news of what it calls a "staggered" closing schedule.

Iowa's News Now says this was the first time since 2019 that all Cedar Rapids City Pools have at any point been open simultaneously, thanks in part to the pandemic but also crediting their hardworking, dedicated seasonal staff. Although even got off to a bit of a rough start.

The Cedar Rapids Parks & Rec Department had trouble finding lifeguards at the start of the season, leading them to offer at one point an increase to a $15 starting minimum wage. Once the staffing issue got resolved, they then had to delay the opening of Noelride Aquatic Center due to needed repairs that took longer than expected due to supply chain issues causing an inability to obtain the needed parts.

After finally filling out the needed staff, they will now be seeing many of them leave for school and with Bever Park pool already closed as of Friday, August 5, they will begin closing the remainder of Cedar Rapids municipal pools on the following schedule:

  • Jones and Ellis Pools: Closing Sunday, August 7 at 5 p.m.
  • Cherry Hill Aquatic Center: Open daily through August 14, followed by weekends only through August 21.
  • Noelridge Aquatic Center: Open daily through August 21, weekends only from then until Labor Day. Learn more from a Parks & Recreation post on Facebook below.

The annual "K9Splash!" dog swim event is still being held this weekend at Bever Pool. You can register and learn more here.

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