RAPID CITY, SD — With school out for the summer, the collective whistle is ready to be sounded signaling the official start of the summer outdoor pool season in Rapid City.

Friday is the opening day for City pool facilities at Horace Mann, Parkview and Jimmy Hilton Sioux Park pools.  The 50-meter outdoor pool at Roosevelt Park Swim Center opened last Friday.

Pools at Parkview, Horace Mann and Jimmy Hilton will be open from noon to 6 p.m. daily except on July 4 when all city pools will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Independence Day. Roosevelt’s 50-meter outdoor pool will be open from 8 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Noon to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.

Daily swim passes are $8 for adults and youth, and $7 for senior citizens 62 years and older. There are 20-punch passes also available for adults and youth, seniors, and families.

Among the special events and offerings this summer:

•‘Quick Dip Hour Passes’, half-price passes offered at Parkview, Sioux Park and Horace Mann pools from 5-6 p.m.

•Sunday for Funday: Four people admitted for $16

•Teen Night Pool Party: this free event for youth ages 10-17 is scheduled July 29 at Horace Mann Pool from 6:30-8 p.m. offering food, drinks and music with special guest DJ Jeremy Waddell

•Glow Swim Pool Party: June 18 at the Parkview Pool from 7-9:30 p.m. for an evening of glowing fun

•Family Fun Nights: June 11 at the Jimmy Hilton Pool and July 22 at the Parkview Pool, from 6:30-8 p.m. featuring games, music and prizes

•Cardboard Boat Races: Back for the fourth consecutive year, the event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 with check-in at 9 a.m. and boats launching from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Roosevelt Park 50-meter outdoor pool. Entry fee is $10 with a youth division for youth ages 6-13 along with an adult division

A total of 88,270 admissions were recorded last summer at the Sioux Park, Parkview, Horace Mann and Roosevelt Park Swim Center pools, a big spike in numbers over the summer of 2024 when 81.025 admissions were recorded and from 2023 when 73,097 admissions were tallied. As with last summer, the City plans to keep two pools open later this season. Horace Mann and Parkview pools will close August 20 with Jimmy Hilton Sioux Park staying open until September 6 and the 50-meter outdoor pool at Roosevelt Swim Center staying open until September 26.