Going swimming? Here’s your guide to Bellingham pools, spray parks this summer
Summer’s right around the corner.
In Whatcom County, the arrival of warmer weather marks the beginning of swimming season.
Fortunately, the Bellingham area has plenty of pools and spray parks where you can splash, swim and cool off.
Here’s where to go for underwater fun:
When is Arne Hanna Aquatic Center open?
Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, 1114 Potter St. in Bellingham, offers activities for swimmers of all ages.
Swim schedules vary by activity, with times in effect through Sunday, June 14.
In the instructional pool, families can play and practice swimming at Preschool Swim from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 3 to 4:30 p.m. and 7:15 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
On Friday, the pool opens for Preschool Swim from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:15 to 9 p.m..
Family swim takes place in all pools 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The diving boards will be open, but the water slide will be closed.
On Monday through Thursday, open swim takes place at all pools from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.. On the weekend, open swim lasts from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m., with the waterslide and diving boards available for use.
As of Tuesday, June 2, pool schedules for July and August had not been released.
How much does Bellingham public pool cost?
General admission to the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center costs $7, or $63 for $10 visits, $210 for a three-month pass and $700 for an annual pass.
Discounts are available for youth under 18, seniors 62 and older and disabled people.
Those swimmers can use the pool for $6 for a single visit, $54 for 10 visits, $180 for a three-month pass and $600 for an annual pass.
Family admission fees — covering up to six people living in a household — cost $18 for one visit, $162 for 10 visits, $540 for three months and $1800 a year.
Contact: 360-778-7665
See aquatics schedule at Whatcom County YMCA
At the Whatcom County YMCA, 1256 North State St. in Bellingham, adult swim and lap swim takes place 6 to 10 a.m. weekdays.
Family swim is from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Water fitness takes place in the large pool at 10:05 to 11 a.m.
Lap swim resumes 11:05 a.m. to 1 p.m., and there’s lap and family swim from 3 to 4 p:30 p.m.
Weekday swim lessons occur at 4:30 to 7 p.m., followed by lap and family swim from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
On weekends, family and laps swim is available 8 to 10 a.m.
Swim lessons are taught in both pools from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with additional lap and family swim hours from 1:30 p.m. to 4:45p.m.
Contact: 360-733-8630
What are summer hours at Bayside Swimming Club?
Summer hours began at the Bayside Swimming Club, 502 Clark Road in Bellingham, on June 1 and conclude on Friday, Sept. 4.
Early bird swim lasts from 6 to 8 a.m. weekdays, lasting until 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
On weekdays, swimming lessons take place from 9 a.m. to noon. There’s no swim instruction or weekends or holidays.
Adults-only swimming is noon to 1:30 p.m. daily.
Open swim is at 1:30 to 6 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. every day, with lap swim from 6 to 7 p.m.
Weekday schedules switch slightly from Monday, Aug. 31, to Friday, Sept. 11, with early bird swim from 6 to 8 a.m., open swim from 3 to 6 p.m., lap swim from 7 to 8 p.m. and open swim from 6 to 8 p.m.
Contact: 360-647-2168
When is family swim at Bellingham Athletic Club?
Lap swimming begins at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Bellingham Athletic Club, 4191 Meridian St. in Bellingham, and 7 a.m. on weekends.
Water aerobics occurs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., as well as 5 to 7 p.m on Monday and 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Swim lessons at the athletic club take place 3:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
Family swim hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 3 to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Contact: 360-676-1800
Can I swim at Bellingham Country Club?
The pool at the Bellingham Country Club at 3729 Meridian St. is open until Labor Day.
Through Sunday, June 28, the pool will be open 10:00 am-4:30 pm on weekdays and 11:00 am-8:00 pm on weekends.
From Monday, June 29, to Friday, Aug. 21, the pool will be open noon to 8 pm on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. On Saturday, July 4, the pool will be open from noon to 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 22 to Monday, Sept. 7, the pool will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
Contact: 360-733-3450
Where are spray parks in Bellingham?
Looking for a way to cool off for free?
Spray parks in Bellingham are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from June 15 through Sept. 15, according to the Bellingham Parks & Recreation Department.
Spray parks use “fresh, potable water,” not recycled water, according to the city.
- Cordata Park, 4510 Cordata Pkwy., Bellingham
- Cornwall Memorial Park, 3424 Meridian St.. Bellingham
- Fairhaven Park, 107 North Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham
Contact: 360-778-7000