More than 300 people attended Friday night’s ‘Splash Bash? to celebrate the grand opening of Oxford High School’s brand new indoor swimming pool (or ‘natatorium? for those who like fancy words).
About 250 of those in attendance donned their bathing suits and took a refreshing dip in the 108-foot long, eight-lane pool, the depth of which goes from 3.8 feet in the shallow end to 13 feet in the deep end.
With a water temperature of 80 degrees and surrounding air temperature of 82 degrees, pool-side was definitely the place to be as outdoor temperatures dipped below zero Friday night.
For two hours, moms, dads and kids of all ages swam, floated, played, paddled, tried out the new diving board and toured all the pool facilities.
The general public will be able to continue enjoying the pool ? paid for by a 2001 voter-approved school bond issue ? thanks to open swim times, swim lessons and water aerobic classes managed by Oxford Twp. Parks and Recreation.
Open swim times for the general public began Monday and will continue until Feb. 18 weekdays from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
The only exceptions are Feb. 4 when the pool is closed and Feb. 11 and 14 when swim times will be moved to between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. due to winter break.
Water aerobic classes for adults and swim lessons begin Feb 21.
Eighty spaces are available for the four water aerobics classes. As of Monday, 20 people had signed up for the classes, according to Phil Castonia, township recreation programmer.
Swim lessons will also begin Feb. 21 and run Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7-8 p.m.
Once classes begin, open swim times will be limited to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
For more information call Oxford Twp. Parks and Recreation at (248) 628-1720.