By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – As the temperatures begin to rise with the onset of summer, St. John the Baptist parish residents on both sides of the Mississippi River will have a place to beat the heat with the opening of the public pools.

Outdoor swimming pools at Regala Park, 194 Regala Park Road in Reserve, and Harold Scott Roussell Park, 137 Castle Drive in Edgard, offer residents a free place to cool off and enjoy a bit of outdoor recreation. Both pools opened for residents Tuesday.

St. John Parks and Recreation Director Erroll Manuel said for the month of June the Regala Pool is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., on Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. For the current month the Westbank Pool is open to the public on Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m., on Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m.

Additionally, the Regala Pool is open to campers only on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. The Westbank Poool is open to campers only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 3 p.m.

Manuel said the parish has five Red Cross certified lifeguards on staff. Three work the east bank pool, and three work the west bank pool through the duration of the pool hours. The parish is looking to hire additional certified lifeguards so pool hours can be increased.

The pools are open to all parish residents of all ages.