The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/19/08 Section: Variety

Media Credit: RENEE AYLWORTH Ted Saupe, Associate Professor of Art Ceramics Area Chair, Karl Graham and junior Joey Graham, a biology major play volleyball at Legion Pool on Tuesday, June 10. [Click to enlarge]

The simple pleasures of a swimming pool is often taken for granted, but for those of us not spending our summers on some tropical island abroad, these bright blue getaways of our childhoods are finding their use again, and in Athens they come in all forms.

While most apartment complexes in Athens have pools, the pool at DeVille Apartments is notorious for its late night bathers due to its close proximity to downtown.

"When I'm here during the day I'm usually just getting sun and hanging out," said former DeVille resident Gabriel Kelley. "But DeVille is more of a night-party pool."

Despite constant noise complaints and the occasional police-visit, the popularity of the DeVille pool as a nighttime hangout prevails.

For those living on campus or not particularly lured by the grungy mystique of DeVille, nearby Legion Pool is a great way to cool off close to home, and caters to all types of swimmers.

"We have five or six lanes reserved for laps, and the rest of the pool for free swimming," said Matt Fortson, a senior marketing major and Legion Pool employee from Ila, GA.

Located across Lumpkin from the Tate Center, Legion Pool is a convenient pool for dorm-dwellers, but charges a $3 entrance fee for students and $4 for guests. Because the pool sits on a University lot, parking is a little difficult to find.

For those more keen on the thorough workout that a pool provides, the indoor pools at Ramsey will be open all summer for students taking summer classes, but also offer a summer membership to those not enrolled, for $50.

Ramsey Pool also occasionally features a giant slide, providing an entertaining break for swimmers.

"We've been putting the slide up a lot lately for the swim camps," said Aziz Coleman, a third year psychology and Spanish major from Tacoma, Wash., who lifeguards at Ramsey. "But lately (the scheduling) has been pretty random."

The slide's next scheduled appearance is June 27.

For bathers of the upper echelon, the Summer Hill Recreation Club provides the complete summer experience, offering a $500 summer membership that includes the use of tennis courts, multiple indoor and outdoor pools and work-out facilities.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, a rewarding summer experience can be found in your own backyard.

At Wal-Mart, plastic wading pools sell for as low as $9, and are a great way to stay cool outdoors without all the bells and whistles.

Whichever pool you chose to dip your toe in, the character-rich pools of the Classic City guarantee a unique summer experience without ever having to leave town.

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