Splish! Splash! Time to take a bath! A sun bath that is! And what better place to enjoy the sun and spending time with your family than at the Royal Lane Pool? Dozens were doing that last week to beat temperatures that were soaring to the 100-degree mark, with a heat index even higher.

Last Friday, one of the hottest days so far this summer, the pool quickly filled, with some diving into the cool waters and others wading around, bright yellow inter-tubes around their waists.

Everyone said it was a great way to stay cool on a hot summer day.

In fact, families like the Gardners said they were likely to stay the entire time the pool is open — 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. — because of its wonderful environment and inexpensive fee.

Entrance price at the pool starts at $2 for children 15 years old and younger; $3 for adults 16-55 and $1 for those who are 55 and older, so anyone and everyone can have the opportunity to enjoy the summer during this hot weather!

“We’ll be here every day now because it’s amazing,” attested Shannon Gardner, a Clinton native who moved away when she was younger but returned a few years ago.

“I regret that we didn’t come out here earlier.”

Even one of the lifeguards, Ashley Hinterleiter, was quick to point out the advantages of the Royal Lane Pool, even from an employee standpoint.

“It’s a nice job to have during the summer and I recommend it to everyone, to get their [lifeguard] certification.”

Most of the lifeguards have been working at the pool for more than a year; they said that although it gets busy on certain holidays and on the weekends, it’s still a fun place to be especially when it’s hot.

Royal Lane Pool has a variety of things for people to do. Right before the pool opens for the public and right after it closes, the lifeguards help teach swimming lessons for people of all ages.

Christopher Enis, another lifeguard, said even though there are a lot of children who take lessons, he has also taught adults how to swim, too.

While in the pool, people are allowed to use the flotation devices and balls for free.

Lauryn Moore, a recent Clinton High graduate, said “[the pool] keeps the children out of trouble and gives them something to look forward to.” Moore said just within this summer so far, she has already been three times and normally stays for about three hours.

Knowing that many people, like Moore and Gardner, tend to stay long periods of time, lifeguards make everyone take a break once an hour as a way to protect everyone from really bad sunburns. Although some people don’t really like the break, Gardner said it “gives me the opportunity to put sunblock on the kids as a way to keep them from burning.”

So if you’re looking for a way to stay cool during the heat advisories, remember that Royal Lane Pool is right around the corner, available and welcoming for you and your family to relax and have fun.

Take it literally from Gardner’s daughter, Megan, when she said “I had a lot of fun and we are going to be here every day!”

The lifeguards at Royal Lane Pool enjoy keeping cool during the summer. Pictured are Ashley Hinterleite, Christopher Enis, Daniel Zavala and Jordan Pietrolaj.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Pool1201771621154546-1.jpgThe lifeguards at Royal Lane Pool enjoy keeping cool during the summer. Pictured are Ashley Hinterleite, Christopher Enis, Daniel Zavala and Jordan Pietrolaj.

The pool at Royal Lane is a place kids and families can go during the summer to have fun, while staying cool.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_pool2-1.jpgThe pool at Royal Lane is a place kids and families can go during the summer to have fun, while staying cool.

By Indyah Bryant

Summer intern