Historic Sellwood Pool opens for solstice heat wave

The day after the last school day for Portland Public Schools students – June 20th, and also the Summer Solstice – happily, was also the opening day for Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) outdoor pools.

The storied Sellwood Pool, first opened in 1910, was the preferred destination for many families, as temperatures surpassed the 90° mark that afternoon.

The line for the pool’s 1 p.m. “Open Swim” session extended out of the building, and snaked quite a ways into Sellwood Park.

“We’re ready for our first day – and, with the staffing we have here, we’ll be running at a capacity of 300 people this afternoon,” said Sellwood Pool Aquatic Leader Jack Grigsby, now a four-year veteran at the facility. “All of our lifeguards go through three days of training, getting about 20 hours of education and orientation, in order to be able to work here. We’re fully-equipped to respond to any emergency that we might have here.

“And, we continue weekly trainings all season, including a lot of different drills, for both life-saving in the water and the pool area, and for first aid as well.”

Out poolside, Sellwood Pool Aquatics Coordinator and Manager Teresa O’Loughlin was checking the swimming ability of those wanting to paddle into the deep end.

“During play swims, all swimmers who want to swim in the deep end are required to pass a ‘swim test’ and wear a wristband, indicating they are approved to be there,” O’Loughlin explained. “Non-swimmers, and those without a wristband, are asked to move to the shallow areas.”

Also this season, O’Loughlin pointed out, life jackets are not permitted down the big slides, or in the deep end of the pool.

By the way, when the Sellwood Pool fills to capacity and no more are admitted, keep in mind the Creston Outdoor Pool on S.E. Powell Boulevard at 44th Avenue! It’s now open too.

To learn about other activities at PP&R pools, to see all of the rules and regulations, and to check their days and hours of operation, go online – http://www.portland.gov/parks/recreation/pools

Now, take a look – and a swim – on the opening day for Portland Parks & Recreation's outdoor public pools on June 20th – here at the Sellwood Pool. This exclusive, brief BEE VIDEO takes you there… https://youtu.be/FAHuwdfhfE0