It was 100 when I finished my bike ride this morning, 105 now, and supposed to be 106 tomorrow. Still another three weeks till we're officially done with summer, and probably six till we get some real fall weather.
For those of us whiling away the long hot days, you'd think that swimming would be a welcome recreational activity, but that's all a matter of geography.
Here in Mesa -- formerly of the slogan "Great People, Quality Service,'' until any such pretense was done in by budget cuts -- the pools were officially closed on August 1. Not September 1, mind you, but August 1 -- not halfway through the "official" summer. They're open for all of nine weeks -- but no Sundays, no holidays. Even the beautifully renovated Kino Pool -- an $8 million project for about 54 days a year of public swimming in the hottest place on earth.
When you do get to swim in Mesa, you pay more for the privilege than your neighbors: $3.50 adults, $1.75 kids.
A quick but unscientific scan around the Valley showed a wide range of disparities, but taking all things into account, Mesa and Phoenix are about in a dead heat for worst swimming cities.
Here's what I found:
Phoenix: $3 adults, $1 kids -- closed since JULY 26!!!
Chandler: $2 adults, 75 cents kids -- some but not all pools still open.
Tempe: $2.25 adults, $1.25 kids -- indoor lap pool open.
Gilbert: $2 adults, $1 kids -- closed since Aug. 8.
Scottsdale: $2 adults, $1 kids -- some pools still open.
I couldn't really get a good read on Glendale -- looks like they have different rates and different schedules for each pool, so not sure if the westsiders can still take a dip.
How can this be? My theory is this: The people of influence have backyard pools, athletic club memberships and the like -- they don't even think about the public pools except when their kids are competing in swim meets. And the people who need the public pools don't have the influence to get their needs met.
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