Taking the Plunge

Crews cleaned and painted city pools this week to get them ready for the start of the summer swimming season on June 26.

The city Recreation and Parks Department has 14 outdoor pools in the San Fernando Valley that will remain open through Labor Day, officials said. The Sepulveda Recreation Center pool is closed for construction.

The Valley’s only indoor public pool, at Cleveland High School in Reseda, will also reopen June 26, following extension renovation.

City crews have spent the past few weeks scrubbing, painting and filling the pools as well as scouring pool decks and buildings, said Sebastien Kupiec, the aquatics facility manager in the Valley.

“We are working on getting them all open on time,” Kupiec said. “We don’t envision any problems.”

On opening day, octopus characters Bubbles and Buddy will greet swimmers at North Hollywood Recreation Center, Reseda Recreation Center and Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima, Kupiec said.

The playful sea creatures will remind young swimmers never to swim alone, never try to swim beyond their ability and always wear proper bathing suits, Kupiec said.

Weekend hours for the city pools are noon to 6 p.m., and weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For the final three weeks, weekday hours will be 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Labor Day hours are noon to 6 p.m.

Pool admission is $1.25 for swimmers 18 through 65. Senior citizens, children 17 and younger and swimmers with disabilities are free. Children younger than 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call the Recreation and Parks’ Regional Aquatics Department at (818) 765-0285 or the individual pool offices.

* Cleveland High School, 8120 Vanalden Ave., Reseda, (818) 756-9798.

* Fernangeles Recreation Center, 8851 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Sun Valley, (818) 767-4171.

* Granada Hills Recreation Center, 16730 Chatsworth St., (818) 765-0284.

* Hubert Humphrey Memorial Park, 12560 Filmore St., Pacoima, (818) 896-0067.

* Lanark Recreation Center, 21816 Lanark St., Canoga Park, (818) 883-1503.

* North Hollywood Recreation Center, 5301 Tujunga Ave., (818) 763-7651.

* Northridge Park, 10058 Reseda Blvd., (818) 349-7341.

* Reseda Recreation Center, 18411 Victory Blvd., (818) 881-3882.

* Sylmar Park, 13109 Borden Ave., (818) 367-5656.

* Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10731 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, (818) 834-5172.

* Valley Plaza Recreation Center, 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood, (818) 765-5885.

* Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, (818) 783-5121.

* Verdugo Hills Pool, 10654 Irma Ave., Tujunga, (818) 353-1365.

* Woodland Hills Recreation Center, 5858 Shoup Ave., (818) 883-9370.