Fremont Pool's Splashy Entrance

'By Linda Lawson

Fremont Pool—almost ready for prime time. Photo by Bryan Farley.

Flaunting its new facelift, Fremont Pool expects to be open for the season on June 15, as will most other Oakland city pools. As a part of the overall Streetscaping plan for Foothill Boulevard, this spring the Fremont Pool at 4550 Foothill was rejuvenated with new colors, mosaics on the entry columns, new lighting, plus new landscaping and sidewalks in front. In addition, inside, the deck area has been repaired and lawn area improved with picnic tables and shade structures now available for use. Look for the grand re-opening during the week of June 15.

Artist Dakota Warren designed and created the mosaics for the entry columns, and will be conducting a workshop planned for July with Oakland youth to create additional mosaics for the new planter out in front. Those interested in this workshop may contact Kristen Zaremba, Assistant Public Art Coordinator, 238-2155, to sign up or for further information.

The pool schedule for the summer includes swimming classes and lessons for babies, children, and adults, swim team practice, water aerobics, a scuba awareness class for kids and recreational swim. Recreational swim fees are $3 adult (18-61), $1 kids and seniors/disabled.

On Saturday, July 11 the pool will hold a special event, "Dive In" Movie Night. Swimmers can bring inner tubes or other inflatables, just chill out, float and watch the movie Antz projected on the back wall, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Call for other specific programs and times or check the Web site, http://oaklandnet.com/parks/facilities/publicpools.asp.

Besides Fremont, other city pools in the Metro area are:

Lions Pool at Dimond Park, 3860 Hanly Rd., ph. 482-7852;

Live Oak Pool at Oakland High School, 1055 MacArthur Blvd, ph. 238-2292.

Castlemont Pool at Castlemont High School, normally operated by the Aquatics Unit in summer will not be open this year due to the city budget cuts.

Adventurous for more? East Bay Regional Parks operates two swimming areas in Oakland: the Roberts Pool complex at Redwood Park (10570 Skyline Blvd, 1-888-327-2757, option 3, extension 4555) features a heated swimming pool and is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Roberts is open April through October with varying days and times of operation. The other is Lake Temescal (Temescal Regional Recreation Area, 6502 Broadway Terrace, ph. 652-1155) Temescal has an accessible beachhouse with changing rooms, vending machines and showers. Lifeguards are on duty 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through the summer.