The $10.1 million pool, which was originally scheduled to open on June 22, was instead opened three days prior amid a heat wave in the city. Prior to the pool’s opening, Boys & Girls Club Aquatics Director Julie Rouse said Central Park pool had an approximate capacity of 500 people, with the city hiring 60 lifeguards to monitor swimmers at Schenectady’s three pools — Central Park, Front Street and Quackenbush.
Mayor Gary McCarthy said on Monday that opening day at the Central Park pool attracted 800 visitors at its peak, with additional swimmers waiting in line to enter the pool facility. “The first day that we were open, it went to just under 800 people inside the fence and we had to go to one-person-in and one-person-out,” McCarthy said. “The size [of the crowd] is limited by the number of lifeguards that are on duty.
” McCarthy said the size of the pool crowds diminished as the opening weekend progressed. “I think some of that was because of the heat and the novelty of the new facility,” he said of the large opening crowds. “So everybody wanted to go and try it out.
” All visitors to city pools over the age of 16 are required to show photo ID to gain access, but the city is not currently checking residential status for entry to the pool facilities. City Council President Marion Porterfield said the council will continue to explore the possibility of charging fees to non-residents who wish to use Schenectady pools. “The council is definitely going to b.
