City pool in waning days of 2018 season; Soggy Doggy Day returns

The Dog Days of Summer may have arrived, but they've again been trumped by the dawn of the new school year.

In Greencastle that traditionally means the annual end of the city pool season.

And that will occur on Sunday, Aug. 12 at the Greencastle Aquatic Center in Robe-Ann Park. That last day -- billed as the Back-to-School Splash Bash -- will be free admission from 1-5 p.m.

Rex the Airedale enjoys the last Soggy Doggy Day at the Greencastle Aquatic Center , taking part with his owner in 2011. This year only dogs will be allowed in the water.

Both Saturday, Aug. 11 and Sunday, Aug. 12 will feature normal pool hours with adult lap swim from 11 a.m. to noon, open swim until 5 p.m. and family swim 5-7 p.m.

However, pool hours during the week will be shortened since all four Putnam County school corporations will be back in session by Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the pool will be open for free swim during the annual National Night Out effort at Robe-Ann Park. Because of the facility's involvement in National Night Out, the annual pool closing was given a reprieve of a couple days this year.

However, Aquatic Center hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 8-10, will be 11 a.m.-noon for adult lap swim and 4-7 p.m. for open swim.

The pool will be closed on Monday, Aug. 13 and will reopen after an adjustment in chemicals to accommodate the return of splish-splashing dogs and Soggy Doggy Day on Tuesday, Aug. 14 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The city ceased the annual Soggy Doggy Day at the pool after the 2011 event. Greater State Board of Health restrictions were blamed but apparently those have since been altered enough to allow the return of a popular pool event that drew 45 dogs during its last go-around.

Cost of the event is $3 per dog. Dog owners are limited to bringing one dog to the pool for the outing.

Online registration is available at www.greencastleparks.com. Onsite registration for Soggy Doggy Day will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Owners must keep dogs on a leash until they are in designated swimming areas. Owners are not allowed to get in the water with their dog.

All dogs must be up to date on vaccines (owners should bring their dog's current vaccination history to the pool event).

Other rules will be noted at the pool.