Summer does not begin until the outdoor pools open and there are hundreds of people splashing about for hours during the sweltering weather.

Fortunately, the four Ames city and two university pools are beginning their summer season next week.

Larry Cooney, director of recreational services, said he expects about 16,000 participant hours at Beyer Pool during the months of June, July and August.

Beyer Pool is the university pool that is mostly used for recreational purposes, said Cooney.

The other pool on campus is located in State Gym.

This pool is only used for aerobic classes, fitness activities and intramural water sports, Cooney said.

Cooney said summer is one of the busiest times for the pools on campus, due to the amount of sports camps that use the facilities.

Ray Dunham, Aquatics Supervisor for Ames, said that the city pools’ attendance goes up with the amount of hours available to the public during the summer.

Lessons in the morning, open swim in the afternoon and then lessons again at night provide many opportunities to use the pools.

Dunham said the lessons offered “range from entry level [and] water orientation to advanced swimmers to adult lessons.”

There are also classes offered in lifeguard training, scuba diving, water safety and spring board diving, he said.

The age of participants using the facilities is also very diverse, Dunham said.

Dunham expects the use of the pools to be consistent with the usage from previous years, which ranges from 50 to 500 people per day.