Waiting for water

Finding aquatic options proves a challenge in Summerlin area

craig L. Moran/view view file photoTop right, an enclosure is shown partially complete as work continues on Pavilion Center Pool, May 7. The pool is being converted into an indoor, year-round facility at 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive and is scheduled to reopen in the fall. Above, a lifeguard watches swimmers at the Pavilion Center Pool in 2009. view file photoTop right, an enclosure is shown partially complete as work continues on Pavilion Center Pool, May 7. The pool is being converted into an indoor, year-round facility at 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive and is scheduled to reopen in the fall. Above, a lifeguard watches swimmers at the Pavilion Center Pool in 2009. Advertisement

When the heat hits, it hits hard with triple digits. Savvy Las Vegans know that one of the best ways to cool off is in a swimming pool, but trying to find one can be a challenge.

WORK CONTINUES ON PAVILION CENTER POOL

In Summerlin, there's an Olympic-size, deep-water community pool. But people won't be cooling off at the Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive, this summer. The pool is being transformed from an outdoor facility to an indoor one, allowing for year-round use. It's scheduled to reopen this fall.

The closure of Pavilion Center Pool affected a number of groups that rely on it, such as the Palo Verde High School swim team, coached by Robert Nicholson. The team is using the facilities at the Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, in the interim.

"This forces the kids to take buses back and forth, and we're training with limited space," he said. "We're using split lanes instead of singles lanes ... lack of pools is a big problem."

Another group that was displaced is the Nevada Desert Mermaids Synchronized Swim Team.

Member and Olympic hopeful Katie Spada, 17, had to leave Summerlin and go to California to maintain her training. She's living with a host family whose own daughter took home the bronze in the sport in the 2004 Olympics.

"It's sad," said Katie's mother Denise of the pool closure. "The Mermaids disbanded. There's no more team. It was one of the few sports offering scholarships for girls to go to college."

BUBBLE SWIM SCHOOL OFFERS OPEN SWIM TIMES

As part of Bubble Swim School's 40th anniversary, the facility at 5300 W. Charleston Blvd. is hosting free water safety lessons each weekend in June.

Its pool is used by Sunset region swim teams. A last-minute scheduling mishap caused the teams to change from competing at the Desert Breeze pool to the one at Heritage Park for the regional championships, held the third weekend in May.

"Besides the changing of buses, contacting parents and a host of other things to do when such changes occur, none of the Sunset swimmers have ever swam at this pool ... which puts them at a disadvantage for qualifying for state," owner/operator David Perkins said.

Bubble Swim School offers open swim times to the public from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $45 per month. For more information, visit www.bubbleswimschool.com or call 368-7946.

RESIDENT OPENS HIS OWN POOL TO LOCAL TEAMS AND GROUPS

The lack of pools is so dire, one Summerlin-area man stepped forward and offered his family pool for team practice sessions. Nick Tulli, a Realtor, learned of the lack of pools when his 10-year-old daughter took swim lessons at Bubble Swim School. He's offering his own pool to "bona fide, legitimate" teams or groups.

His home is within an 80-family gated community. The pool is 25 feet by 40 feet. Access to his house and insurance coverage in case of injury were small concerns, he said.

"I'd have to have them sign a paper, saying something like, 'We will not hold you responsible,' " he said.

But there are still options for residents.

DURANGO HILLS COMMUNITY CENTER YMCA POOL AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

The city of Las Vegas Durango Hills Community Center, operated by the YMCA of Southern Nevada at 3521 N. Durango Drive, has a giant pool capable of handling 800 people.

Lezlie Koepp and her four children -- 10, 6 and twin 4-year-olds -- make use of it about four days a week. The two older children took lessons there in years past. Koepp said having a beach entry was important, as other pools can start out with a shallow end of 3 feet.

"I feel comfortable knowing the little ones can paddle around the kids' area," she said. "I can have them all over the pool; there's an area that's appropriate for each skill level, each age."

Several YMCA Splash events -- a one-day program of free swimming and water instruction open to the public -- are planned every year. The YMCA also offers swim lessons.

"Swimming skills last a lifetime," said YMCA of Southern Nevada President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Lubbe. "Water safety practices save lives every day."

A misconception is that only YMCA members can access the pool. Not true. A day pass costs $4. Four-month Sizzlin' Summer passes also are available for $99 per person or $199 per family and allow unlimited access to the YMCA's pools and its wellness centers and classes.

The outdoor pool hours are from noon to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.lasvegasymca.org and click "programs" or visit the front desk.

SOME RESORT POOLS ARE OPEN TO RESIDENTS

Another option: take a mini vacation at one of Summerlin's resort pools.

Club JW Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., offers seasonal memberships that include access to the pool. A daily pass is $50.

For $600, one can get a seasonal membership to the club. It includes spa, food and beverage discounts. Couples pay $800; a family of four is $1,200.

At the Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., the main pool is open only to hotel guests, but the private pool area, conducive to playing volleyball, is free to those 21 or older.

The resort plans free night pool events for the summer called Feel Good Fridays that include free concerts and drink specials.

The Red Rock Cabana Club is free to anyone 21 or older. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday and on Labor Day. Disc jockeys are on hand from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Make it a party by renting a cabana, which requires a $400 food and beverage minimum for up to six people. For reservations, call 797-7509.

Summerlin residents need only show their Summerlin ID cards to get into the pools at Trails Park, 1910 Spring Gate Lane, or the one at the Willows Park, 2775 Desert Marigold Lane.

Likewise, Desert Shores maintains its lagoon pool, 2620 Regatta Drive, just for its residents and their guests. Desert Shores community IDs must be shown at the gate entry.

Contact Summerlin and Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.