Find Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Arts Updates related to Hurricane Milton.

Aquatics Operation

• Gandy Pool

  Gandy Pool

  404 Imperial Boulevard
  Lakeland, FL 33803
  Ph: 863.834.3157
  Email: Aquatics@lakelandgov.net

  Gandy Pool features a 10-lane, 25-yard short course heated pool with a one-meter diving board and a 3-4 foot deep recreation pool. A handicap ramp at 0 depth and a hydraulic lift chair are provided.

  Open year-round

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  Hours of Operation

  Lap Swim
  Monday - Friday 5:30 AM - 7:00 PM*
  Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 22 - October 17: Pool closes at 3:00 PM (High School Swim Meets)

  Open Swim
  Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Tuesdays & Thursdays, August 22 - October 17: Pool closes at 3:00 PM (High School Swim Meets)

  Lap & Open Swim
  Saturdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Sundays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  Closings & Adjusted Hours
  *Limited lap lane availability after 3:00 PM during high school season (August 22 - October 17)
  Friday, October 18, Pool Closes at 3:00 PM (Districts Meet)
  Saturday, October 19, Closed (Districts Meet) 

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  Amenities

  • Vending machines (Food and drink permitted in pavilion areas only.)
  • Lockers for personal belongings
  • Lap lanes (Time clocks available)
  • Bleacher seating
  • Shower/changing rooms
  • Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) are available for checkout.
    
    Sorry, no refunds due to inclement weather.

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  Fees

  • $5 per visit/guest*
  • $40 per 20-visit/guest pass* (passes are assigned to 1 guest, sharing passes no longer applicable)
  • ACTIVITY PASS (Semi-Annual or Annual Pass) Covers Weight rooms, Cardio Rooms, Open Swim, Lap Swim, Open Tennis, and any Health and Fitness Class  in front of the class

    Ages 14-59 (Individual) $150/$300

    Ages 60 and up (individual) $120/$240

    Family (Two adults up to the age of 59 living in same household plus any legal dependents) $400/$740

    *Anyone going onto the pool deck counts as a guest with the per-visit fee applicable.

   

• Simpson Park Pool

  Simpson Park Pool

  1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue
  Lakeland, FL 33805
  Ph: 863.834.2286
  Email: Aquatics@lakelandgov.net 

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  Hours of Operation
  Open May 26 - August 12

  Friday, 6/14: Simpson Park Pool is closed until further notice due to an unforeseen issue with the pool liner. Our team is working diligently to facilitate a repair and get the facility open. Updates on the operational status will be shared here as they are available. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions.

  Lap Swim
  Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  Open Swim
  Monday - Friday 12:00 - 5:00 PM

  Lap & Open Swim
  Saturdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Sundays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  Closings & Adjusted Hours

  Juneteenth, 6/19, Holiday Hours: 12:00 - 5:00 PM

  Independence Day, 7/4, Holiday Hours: 12:00 - 5:00 PM

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  Fees

  • $5 per visit/guest*
  • $40 per 20-visit/guest pass* (passes are assigned to 1 guest, sharing passes no longer applicable)
  • ACTIVITY PASS (Semi-Annual or Annual Pass) Covers Weight rooms, Cardio Rooms, Open Swim, Lap Swim, Open Tennis and any Health and Fitness Class with the  in front of the class

    Ages 14-59 (Individual) $150/$300

    Ages 60 and up (individual) $120/$240

    Family (Two adults up to the age of 59 living in same household plus any legal dependents) $400/$740

    *Anyone going onto the pool deck counts as a guest with the per visit fee applicable.

  
  17 & under - inquire about dollar days.

• Programs and Fitness Classes

  Gandy Pool 

  AQUA SPIN 
  Come enjoy a spin class in the pool. Hop on our Hydrorider spin bikes that are submerged in waist-deep water.
  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 6:30 AM
  Monday & Wednesday 6:00 PM
  Saturday 8:00 AM
  $5
   
  SPLASHERSIZE 
  Join this low-impact water aerobic workout geared for everyone. Shape up using our water weights and enjoy the water at Gandy Pool.
  Monday - Friday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  $2.50

  DEEP WATER AEROBICS 
  This class will take place in the lap lanes of Gandy Pool and utilize suspension techniques using pool hand buoys and noodles
  Wednesdays 10:00 - 10:45  AM
  $5

  Interested in teaching at one of our facilities? Fill out our online call for instructors form.

• Lifeguard Classes

  Participants must be 15 or older.
  Pre-requisite swim test includes:

  • 300-yard swim with freestyle and breaststroke
  • 2-minute tread using legs only
  • Timed brick retrieval within 1min. and 40seconds.

   $200 Class Fee

  Upcoming Class Dates & Times:

  Friday, September 20: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  Saturday, September 21: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  Sunday, September 22: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  A blended learning portion of the class will be emailed to participants before the in-person class begins.

  To register, please visit Gandy Pool, or for more information, call us at Gandy Pool at 863-834-3157 or aquatics@lakelandgov.net

• Swim Lessons

  

  For more information, call 863.834.3157 or email Aquatics@Lakelandgov.net 

  Upcoming Sessions

  Saturday Swim Lessons
  at Gandy Pool

  Preschool Swimming & Youth Learn to Swim
  Saturday
  9 - 9:45 AM
  $50 (for the 4-week session)
  
  Session 1: September 7 - 28
  Session 2: October 5 - 26

  Adult Beginner Swim Lessons
  Participants will be introduced to basic aquatic skills and swimming strokes, including the front crawl, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke. Participants will also learn the skills and concepts needed to stay safe around water—5 participants max.
  Saturday
  9 - 9:45 AM
  $50 (for the 4-week session)

  Session 1: September 7 - 28
  Session 2: October 5 - 26

  Contact us for upcoming swim lesson info! (call 863.834.3157 or email Aquatics@Lakelandgov.net )

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  Swim Lesson Level Descriptions

  • Adult Beginner

    Participants will be introduced to basic aquatic skills and swimming strokes, including the front crawl, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke. Participants will also learn the skills and concepts needed to stay safe around water. Limit 5 participant Max per class. 

  • Parent-Child Aquatics (Ages 6 months - 2.5 years)

    

    A parent or guardian will be in the water with the child. Skills that will be learned include different holding and support techniques, safely entering and exiting the pool, buoyancy on the front and back, and rolling on the front and back.

    The instructor will help participants begin to develop positive attitudes and safe practices around water. Swim diapers are required under a bathing suit.

  • Preschool Aquatics (Ages 3 - 5)

    

    This Beginner class is designed to be the first class without parents. 

    Skills that will be taught include safely entering and exiting the pool, breath control and submersion, floating on front and back, and changing direction in the water by gliding and swimming.

  • Youth Learn to Swim (Levels 1-3 / Ages 6 - 12) 

    

    Beginner to intermediate class with participants learning fundamental aquatic skills such as floating, gliding, and simultaneous arms and leg motions all while doing this independently of an instructor’s support.

  • Youth Learn to Swim Level (Levels 4-5 / Ages 6 - 12) 

    

    Advanced class with participants improving their aquatic skills and increasing their endurance using the following swim strokes: front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke

• Swim Team

  Gandy & Simpson Pools are the home to Riptide Aquatics. Riptide Aquatics is a year-round competitive swim team providing high-quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. The goal of our team is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability from novice, state, national and international competitors. Train with some of the best swimmers in the country and work with talented and experienced coaches. Find out more on their website.

• Pool Rules

  City of Lakeland, Aquatics Operation

  Pool Rules

  Enforced at all City of Lakeland aquatics facilities
  Gandy Pool & Simpson Park Pool

  Please email the Aquatics team( Aquatics@Lakelandgov.net)  with any questions.

  1. Patrons are required to abide by any safety requirements or request as instructed by the lifeguards or City of Lakeland staff  
  2. Swimmers swim at their own risk
  3. Parents/Guardians are responsible for the activity/behavior themselves and their dependents. Unruly/disrespectful behavior is not permitted.
  4. Parents/Guardians should remain an arm’s length from toddlers and children who cannot swim.
  5. Water wings are prohibited. USCG personal flotation devices are available for use.
  6. No glass containers in pool or on pool deck
  7. Extended breath holding discouraged
  8. Alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco including vaping and smoking are strictly prohibited
  9. Running and rough play is prohibited
  10. No pets/animals are allowed in the pool or on the pool deck area. Service animals are permitted on pool deck only.
  11. Proper swim wear is required. Cutoffs, sweats, jeans, athletic shorts, undergarments, boxers, briefs, thongs/t-backs, transparent suits are not permitted. Appropriate coverings for body image and religious beliefs are permitted
  12. Aquatic staff have the right to disallow floating rafts, balls, frisbees and throwing objects.
  13. Non-potty trained children must wear waterproof diapers with plastic swim pants.
  14. Do not hang on lane lines, lifeguard stands, life lines, diving board, and hand rails
  15. Diving block use permitted for swim team and City of Lakeland staff only
  16. Do not enter pool if you are experiencing diarrhea or have open deep cuts, wounds, sores, or gashes.
  17. Do not drink pool water
• Weather Policy

  When Aquatics staff observes or hears lightning, the pool deck will be cleared and closed for a minimum of 30 minutes.
  If lightning or thunder continues, the clock will restart each time thunder or lightning is detected.  
  If a lifeguard is unable to see the bottom of the pool due to poor visibility from rain, fog, or other weather conditions, they will clear the pool but can remain on the pool deck until visibility is restored.