Start summer with a splash

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Hansen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  It's that time of the year again; the grass is finally greener, the days are longer and the sun is hotter. It'll soon be time to take a break from the summer sun and cool down - with a splash.

The Malmstrom pool will be opening its gates to everyone on base on the Air Force Global Strike Command-wide family day May 27 with the grand opening on May 28.

"On Saturday, we're going to have a grand opening," said Kevin Sorenson, 341st Force Support Squadron Director of Outdoor Recreation. "We're going to have some really wonderful music being played. From noon to 2 o'clock, we're going to hand out tickets for a free drink, hot dog and bag of chips."

Pool admission May 27 and 28 is free for all patrons and will feature an open swim from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All other days will be open the regular hours of operation at the set admission price.

"The cost for general admission is $3 for adults and $2 for all children," said Steve Surls, 341st FSS base pool manager. "Season passes are available for singles or for families of up to five people who frequently use the pool facility. Lap swim is free for active-duty personnel and $1 for anyone else."

Along with a 90-foot water slide, two diving boards, concessions and the hottest music, the base pool offers a variety of activities for people of all ages. Every month will feature two movie nights starting at 9 p.m. and usually ending around 11:45 p.m. Upon arrival on movie nights, customers will vote on a selection of movies and the movie with the highest number of votes will be played.

Also, a new event will be added to the pool schedule this year. Every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., the pool will host 'tailgate night'. Tailgate night allows people to bring their own food into the pool and use the facility's grill during the allotted time.

The pool also offers two-week sessions of swimming lessons to anyone interested in learning to swim. Registration for classes will begin May 24; children must be at least 4 years of age and adult or private lessons are available upon request.

"There are approximately six levels of training sessions at the pool, each designed to strengthen and develop skill levels," Mr. Surls said. "All of the classes are taught by American Red Cross-certified instructors."

The first day of class will be a test for each student to be scheduled for lessons at their appropriate skill level. Each level builds from the previous level until students are fully capable of swimming and applying all lessons on their own.

For more information on the base pool, contact Mr. Surls at 731-4202 or Outdoor Recreation at 731-3263.

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Pool Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday:
Lessons: 9 a.m. to noon
Lap Swim: noon to 12:45 p.m.
Open Swim: 1 to 7 p.m.
Activity Swim: 7 to 11 p.m.

Weekends and Holidays
Open Swim: 1 to 7 p.m.

Scheduled Functions/Private Parties
Monday-Friday: 7 to 11 p.m.
Weekends and Holidays: 9 to 11 a.m. and 7 to 11 p.m.