TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topekans only have a limited amount of time left to enjoy the local pools before they shut down for the year.
Shawnee County Parks and recreation (SCP+R) is getting ready to wrap up its summer swimming season as kids get ready to return to classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year. Many local pools and aquatic centers will close this coming weekend.
Ashley Gilfillan with SCP+R told 27 News that all of the county’s pools and aquatic centers will open for the last time on Sunday, Aug. 3 before closing down for the year. However, some other locations will stay open for a little longer.
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Gilfillan said the Rossville Pool will remain open daily through to Sunday, Aug. 10. Staff will also open the Shawnee North Family Aquatic Center for one more weekend on Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10.
“The reason pools close so early is due to staffing,” Gilfillan said. “The majority of our guards and cashiers are high school and college students, meaning they are moving back to school, or gearing up with practices and school activities. We are able to consolidate staff from surrounding pools to cover an additional weekend of activity at one location.”
SCP+R is offering its annual dog swim days after the local pools close. These will be held on Aug. 4 at Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center and on an undetermined date at Shawnee North Family Aquatic Center.
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“Dog swims are offered after normal swim activity has halted at participating locations for sanitary purposes,” Gilfillan said.
People are encouraged to bring their dogs to Blaisdell and Shawnee North to let them enjoy a rare opportunity to play in the water. Dog swims cost $5 per dog, per session with two dogs allowed in per owner. Dog owners can bring in toys and floaties but are not able to join their furry companions in the water.
SCP+R will offer dog owners the option to bring their pets in for a ‘small dogs’ session from 4 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. or for the ‘any size’ session from 5:35 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the event. People will be required to sign a waiver upon entry and must maintain control over their animals for the duration of the activity. You can learn more about local pools, aquatic centers and dog swim days by heading to the SCP+R’s website by clicking here.
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