Spruce Pool
Spruce Pool is open for a limited swimming experience.
We’ve been working hard to interpret state and local guidance to ensure that recreational facility operations align fully with efforts to protect public health. For pools, we also made enhancements to water safety procedures and water quality specifications to meet the standards for pools set by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Red Cross.
Right now, operations look different than past seasons – but in the coming weeks, staff will be adjusting offerings as guidance allows to maximize recreational opportunities. Elements like hours for vulnerable populations, and considerations for members of the same household are actively being evaluated. Likewise, coaches for user groups are working closely with aquatic staff to identify solutions for organized team activities.
Additional services are anticipated to resume soon at the North Boulder Recreation Center, and later this summer at other recreation facilities and Scott Carpenter Pool (pending construction).
What's New
The leisure pool is open for limited use. Details, restrictions and reservation instructions are below.
Stay connected with Boulder Parks and Recreation to learn more.
What's Available & What to Expect
Lap pool
- Reserved lap lane activity only (lap swimming, water running, etc.)
- Single swimmer use per reserved lane
- Reserved 1-hour time blocks (15 minutes transition time, 45 minutes water time)
- Face coverings required at all times when outside of pool for patrons and staff
- Sanitized, watertight storage bins available for each lane reservation
- Hourly cleaning of all high-touch surfaces
- Higher levels of chlorine - 2.0PPM per CDC recommendations
- Electronic whistles from lifeguards and physical distance from staff
- No-contact water bottle filling stations are available
Leisure pool
- 1 hour reservations (:60 minutes swimming; access to the pool deck will begin 15 minutes before the reservation start time)
- 3 bookable pool pods (1/3 of leisure area divided width-wise, approx. 700 sq.ft. at varying depths).
- Up to six household members per pod, including at least one adult.
- Includes designated table (spaced 10ft+ apart) for each pod, disinfected after use
- Face coverings required while not in pool (12 years and over).
- Hourly cleaning of all high-touch surfaces
- Restrooms and showers are available. Use is discouraged
- No-contact water bottle filling stations are available
- A portable lift is available for pool access
What's Not Available & What's Coming
- Walk-up reservations (bookings must be made online or via phone)
- Lockers are not available
- Shared pool equipment (bring your own kickboards, pull buoys, exercise belts)
- Deck furniture (chairs and lounges)
- Visitors/guests without reservations
- Splash pad access
Hours of Operation
**Upcoming Closure and Holiday Hours**
- Friday, Aug. 7 - Closed due to extended holiday city closure (city staff furlough day)
Lap pool
- Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Leisure pool
- Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
How to Make a Reservation
- Leisure Pool Pod Map
- All patrons must have a reservation.
- We strongly encourage you to use your Boulder Parks and Recreation account to purchase the reservation. If you have had a BPR membership or have registered for courses with us before, you likely have an account. Please use ‘Forgot your login name or password’ if you’re unsure. If you don’t already have an account, set up a new account .
- Reservations can be made by phone at 303-441-3426 during operating hours up to one hour before closing, for patrons that require assistance or would like to make arrangements for in-person payment.
- Reservations are limited to one per day.
- Bookable lanes and leisure pool pods open two days in advance, at 8 a.m. for reservations.
- Reservation Fees - Lap Pool
- Adult - $9 Resident, $15 Non-Resident
- Senior - $6.75 Resident, $11.25 Non-Resident
- Youth - $5.50 Resident, $9.25 Non-Resident
- Reservation Fees - Leisure Pool
- Per pod - $24 residents/$33 non-residents
- Currently, annual, monthly and punch card memberships are not being accepted and will remain frozen until facility capacity and amenity restrictions are more fully restored. Membership pass information
- Additional access options are available to support the department’s commitment to access for all, and the following accounts will see fees reduced automatically during checkout, when the reservation is made under the primary account holder:
- Financial Aid (Recquity Program)
- Silver Sneakers, Silver & Fit, Renew Active (lap pool)
- [email protected] & BHP Employees
- Modifying reservations
- Patrons may cancel or rebook reservation up to 12 hours in advance.
- No refunds or credits will be provided for bookings canceled within 12 hours of the reservation.
- Pool Closures
- If the pool needs to close due to a mechanical, safety or staffing issue, patrons with reservations will be contacted and staff will facilitate a rebooking or credits/refunds.
- Bookings impacted by weather closures will be automatically credited to patron accounts, with a confirmation sent to the email on account. Please take care to check weather forecasts before booking, particularly for afternoon and evening reservations.
Plan for your Safe Visit
- Before leaving home, consider your current health. Stay home if you feel sick. Review the COVID-19 symptom checker for the best practices to follow before participation.
- Arrive wearing your face covering and swimsuit. Leave valuables at home, or in your transportation. Restrooms are available. Use is discouraged. Lockers are not available.
- Arrive at the pool no more than five minutes before your reservation – Be aware that the entry doors will remain closed until the facility has been cleaned and reset from previous reservations.
- Stand at the sign (numbered 1-8) that represents the lane you reserved, and maintain physical distance from other patrons.
- A few minutes before your reservation time, a staff member will come to check you in and help process payments for patrons with phone reservations. Please be prepared to present identification if requested.
- Once checked in, staff will open the entry gate and direct you to the swim lanes or reserved area.
- Lap pool reservations: Arrive no more than five minutes before your reservation. A waterproof storage container will be available for use during your workout; containers are disinfected by staff between reservations. During your workout, please try to swim in the center of your lane.
- Leisure pool reservations: You may arrive 15 minutes before your reservation. A picnic table will be available for use during your reservation time; tables are disinfected by staff between reservations. During your swim time, stay within your reserved swim pod.
- Entry doors will remain closed until the facility has been cleaned and reset from previous reservations. Lifeguards will provide a signal when patrons can enter the water.
- Follow lifeguard instructions, and avoid behaviors that could impact the health of others (spitting, coughing, close contact, etc.).
- If exiting the pool before the ending signal from lifeguards, please follow signs for one-way traffic flow and leave via the exit gate only.
- Otherwise, please exit upon the ending signal from lifeguards, and proceed directly to the exit gate.
- All reservations include 15 minutes for transitions between bookings. By following these guidelines closely, patrons can help reduce this transition time significantly and maximize time in the water.
FAQ
Can I bring my own pool equipment?
Yes. You may bring kickboards, buoys, paddles, etc.
Can I share a lane with members of my household?
No. Lap swimming is restricted to one person, per lane.
Can members of my household or friends come into the facility during my reservation?
No. Currently, only the individual whose name is on the reservation is permitted to come into the facility during the reserved time slot.
Can I use my Renew Active, Silver and Fit, or Silver Sneakers Card to gain entry?
Yes. You will still need to make a prior reservation before coming to the pool. If you have an active membership with Boulder Parks and Recreation, the booking fee will be zeroed out at the time of reservation. Please inform the front desk staff that you used one of these memberships to book your reservation upon entry.
Can I swim if it is raining?
Yes. The pool will remain open if there is not any thunder/ lightning and the lifeguards can safely monitor the bottom of the pool.
What happens if there is thunder/lightning?
In the event of thunder or lightning, we close the pool for 30 minutes from the last instance of audible thunder or visible lightning. Once 30 minutes has passed without more thunder or lightning, the pool will reopen.
Can I split my reservation with another individual?
No. The lane reservation is limited to the individual whose name is on the reservation.
Can I lounge or tan on the deck if I finish my swim time early?
No. The only permitted use is to be actively swimming during the reservation period.
Can I bring my bike inside?
No. We do not allow bikes inside of the recreation facilities. There are bike racks available to lock up your bicycle.
Can I bring in a glass water container?
No. We do not allow glass of any kind into the pool area. Please plan accordingly.
Do you provide towels?
No. There are not any towels available for rent or purchase on site.
What is the lap pool temperature?
The lap pool is heated to 82 degrees. It has the potential to fluctuate to either side depending on the ambient temperature.
If I am a coach, am I allowed to be on deck?
Yes. We have an assigned area for coaches who have athletes in the water. Please contact Tim Stabbe at [email protected] for more information and to schedule a coach to come in.