Cool Tips for Summer Heat: Where to Swim this Season

Story by Kristen Street

The High Country isn’t known for its sweltering temperatures, but the area does have its heat waves, and we all deserve to cool off some time or another. Swimming is a fun and relatively inexpensive way to spend a few hours and there is more than one place to cool off and shape up this summer.

The pool at the High Country Inn is open for members, but all memberships have been sold for this season. The Green Valley pool at Green Valley Elementary will remain closed until its leaking problem is able to be fixed, which will not be this summer.

Watauga Swim Complex
The Watauga Swim complex is located on 231 Complex Drive in Boone and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. It features a shallow toddler pool, a six-lane large pool and a deep diving pool, all of which are indoors. A lifeguard is always on duty. Outside the complex is a playground, which makes this location a one stop shop for kids’ fun. They charge $3.50 for children and seniors over 60 and $4 for adults. Families can get in for $15 a day. They also offer passes with various rates depending on the length of time the pass is for. Swim lessons are offered for $40 a session with a pass or $50 without. Showers and vending machines are available at this facility. For more information on classes, call 828-264-0270.

Grover C. Robbins Memorial pool
This pool is located on Lakeside Drive in Blowing Rock. It is open for public swim between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The daily rate is $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Passes are $80, and cover four people. A session of swim lessons is $35 for members, $55 for non-members and $100 for private lessons. Lifeguards are always on duty at this outdoor pool, and showers and snacks are available at this facility. For more information, call 828-295-5224.

Avery County pool
Located in Newland off Shultz Circle across from United Community Bank, the Avery County pool is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Public swim costs $3 for adults, $2.50 for students, $1.25 for preschoolers and $1 for non-swimmers. They have one pool and one diving board. Lifeguards are always on duty and snack machines are available. For more information, call 828-733-8268.

ASU Student Recreation Center
ASU faculty, students and staff, as well as family members of faculty and staff, may use the swimming pool at ASU’s Student Recreation Center, located on Bodenheimer Drive in Boone. This pool is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Dependents of ASU faculty and staff may get their own Appcard in order to enter the facility, or may be accompanied by their cardholding family members and enter for $5. For more information, call 828-262-2100.

Avery County YMCA
The YMCA of Avery is located at 435 Hospital Drive in Linville. It has a swimming facility that is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A guest pass into the YMCA for a day is $10, and memberships are also available. Swim lessons are available, and showers and snacks, including a smoothie bar, can be found in the facility. For more information, call 828-737-5500.