Toronto pools reopen for the season this month and here’s what to know

One of the most frequently asked questions this time of year — right up there with “when do patios open?” and “how long is the line at Bellwoods Brewery today?” — is: “when will Toronto pools finally open for the season?”

The good news (or bad news, depending on your lack of patience) is that we’re just a few weeks away from that happening.

Is it just me, or is everyone in Toronto in a better mood when June finally rolls around? With the city heating up and temperatures hitting 30 degrees any day now, we’re at that point when a dip in the pool is the perfect antidote.

According to the City, all outdoor pools will open on Saturday, June 20 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday).

If you’re someone who loves a leisurely dip after work just before sundown, you’ll have to wait just a little longer.

Full summer hours don’t officially start until Friday, June 26. Then, the City says, pools will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sunday, Sept. 6, so there’s plenty of time to make a splash before Labour Day, the final long weekend of summer.

But wait, here’s a pleasant surprise.

The City says 15 pools at recreational and community centres will open on Saturday, June 13, so if you’re looking to cool off with a bit of chlorine therapy, you can hit up one of these locations closest to you. These pools will be open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool at Christie Pits Park
• Fairbank Memorial Park
• Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools
• Gord and Irene Risk Community Recreation Centre
• Goulding Community Recreation Centre
• Grandravine Community Recreation Centre
• Heron Park Community Recreation Centre
• Maryvale Park
• McGregor Park Community Centre
• O’Connor Community Centre
• Parkway Forest Park
• Pine Point Park Outdoor Pool
• Riverdale Park East
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool
• West Mall Outdoor Pool at Dennis Flynn Park

Knowing that there were 29 extreme heat warnings issued in Toronto last summer, we may be looking at the same amount or even more this year. The City says eight designated outdoor pools will remain open past their scheduled closing time (usually until midnight, if history repeats itself):

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool at Christie Pits Park
• Giovanni Caboto Outdoor Pool at Earlscourt Park
• Heron Park Community Recreation Centre
• McGregor Park Community Centre
• Monarch Park
• North Toronto Memorial Community Centre
• Smithfield Park
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool

Yeah, buoy! Find your nearest pool and mark your calendar because you’ll be treading in the deep end in no time, Toronto.

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