Heated Pool Availability in Winter?

**Paula** · 10-04-2006, 07:12 AM

I'm wondering if there's a way to pay daily or other fees to get access to a heated pool in the winter when we're in SoWal. Our pool is great, but it's not heated. Soooo, where are the heated pools and how do we get access? Memberships? Daily rates? thanks.

**Mermaid** · 10-04-2006, 10:01 AM

Paula, this might be useful to you:
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.p...t=heated+pools

**Paula** · 10-04-2006, 12:36 PM

Thanks, Mermaid. It's interesting that even with heated pools, many people think the heated pools are too cool to swim in in the winter (makes me feel a bit better about being in a community that doesn't have a heated pool). I'll check out the temp of the pool water this weekend. Given how warm it has been, I'm assuming the water will be fine to swim in through october at least.

Are there any public heated pools -- how about that Panama City sports complex? Of course, I can check this out myself when I'm there, but people on this board have so much information that one person couldn't possibly figure out on her own!

For the future, will the sports complex (for kids?) ever be completed? I heard talk about it on this board, and will it have a heated pool?

**Beach Runner** · 10-04-2006, 05:53 PM

That's why I'm so happy we built a spa adjacent to our pool. You can crank that thing over 100 degrees in very little time even when it's in the thirties outside. We've really enjoyed it.

**beachmouse** · 10-04-2006, 08:01 PM

They've finished the aquatic complex at Frank Brown Park in PCB. I'm not sure what the winter hours are, but they'll probably at least have something going on because of swim team kids. The pix I've seen of it are beautiful, but IIRC the fees for out of state users were kind of pricey.

**hummingbird** · 10-04-2006, 08:34 PM

Aquatic Center at Frank Brown Park
www.aquaticcenterpcb.com

Site states that it boasts a heated and cooled 50-meter outdoor competitive pool. Sounds perfect!

**jessifunn** · 10-04-2006, 09:41 PM

I want to hit the aquatic center as I like to swim but am not very comfortable with getting in the gulf anymore, other than walking along the edge hunting shells.

a similar post by a former member

**Teresa** · 10-05-2006, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Paula

Thanks, Mermaid. It's interesting that even with heated pools, many people think the heated pools are too cool to swim in in the winter (makes me feel a bit better about being in a community that doesn't have a heated pool). I'll check out the temp of the pool water this weekend. Given how warm it has been, I'm assuming the water will be fine to swim in through october at least.

Are there any public heated pools -- how about that Panama City sports complex? Of course, I can check this out myself when I'm there, but people on this board have so much information that one person couldn't possibly figure out on her own!

For the future, will the sports complex (for kids?) ever be completed? I heard talk about it on this board, and will it have a heated pool?

Paula - I don't know of any public heated pools in sowal - wish I did. I have enjoyed the big heated pool at Watersound (we have stayed there a time or two, and visited there with friends/owners). We swam a few times last winter when the weather was rather cool (but not exactly cold) - it was really great!!! I didn't think I would like it at all - but it feels oh soooo good (until you get out).

**Paula** · 10-05-2006, 09:00 PM

Thanks, all. The Aquatic Center in PCB looks very good. Rates aren't that outrageous. If I was going to be there 2-3 months in the winter, I'd probably sign up (but won't be doing that for a while). But even a nice day trip in the cooler season seems worth it for a nice break.

Tootsie, I'll bet our pool is still warm so come on by this weekend... I'm hoping to do some swimming. We have the hot tub in the winter, too, and that's sure nice, but when we come down there as a family, it would be nice to hang out in a big pool sometimes... sounds like we'll head out to the Acquatic Center, in PCB and then com eback to the hot tub in the evening.

**Teresa** · 10-05-2006, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by Paula

Thanks, all. The Aquatic Center in PCB looks very good. Rates aren't that outrageous. If I was going to be there 2-3 months in the winter, I'd probably sign up (but won't be doing that for a while). But even a nice day trip in the cooler season seems worth it for a nice break.

Tootsie, I'll bet our pool is still warm so come on by this weekend... I'm hoping to do some swimming. We have the hot tub in the winter, too, and that's sure nice, but when we come down there as a family, it would be nice to hang out in a big pool sometimes... sounds like we'll head out to the Acquatic Center, in PCB and then com eback to the hot tub in the evening.

or, find some other fall kind of things to do. like hiking some of the state parks: deer park, topsail, eden..., or go kayaking at one of the lakes, or just go to the beach and enjoy the very best time of year on the beach!!! all the kids are still swimming at the lake on Grayton Beach...

**Paula** · 10-06-2006, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Tootsie

or, find some other fall kind of things to do. like hiking some of the state parks: deer park, topsail, eden..., or go kayaking at one of the lakes, or just go to the beach and enjoy the very best time of year on the beach!!! all the kids are still swimming at the lake on Grayton Beach...

You are correct. I hope to get out and walk more and see some places I haven't seen before. It's too hot to walk around in the summer when we're here, and up until this year I've been so busy just keeping up the cottages when I'm there. But this time everything's in good shape so I expect to get out more. Looking forward to it. I've always found time for the beach, though.

**graciecole** · 10-08-2006, 01:37 PM

You can buy a daily pass to the Rosemary Beach Fitness Center, the skypool next door is a lap pool and is heated for fitness swimming. Hope this helps your yearning.

**Miss Kitty** · 10-08-2006, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by graciecole

You can buy a daily pass to the Rosemary Beach Fitness Center, the skypool next door is a lap pool and is heated for fitness swimming. Hope this helps your yearning.

graciecole! You are a great question answerer and very helpful!!!

**InletBchDweller** · 10-08-2006, 03:13 PM

graciecole, I guess we are neighbors

**Paula** · 10-12-2006, 06:11 AM

Thanks, Graciecole. We may try either the Rosemary Beach pool or the Panama City Pool this winter when we're there. I always have great plans but then we get there and get nicely lazy and spend our time at the beach, porch, hot tub or pool! If we were there longer and more often, we'd definitely explore the area, including the pools, more often.

**JanetH** · 01-01-2007, 08:03 PM

Hi all,

I've been swimming daily in the Panama City Beach Aquatic Center pool and am happy to report that it's a wonderful place for lap swimming. It's heated, and has been comfortable to swim in even before sunrise on chilly mornings. The pool itself is 50 meters by 25 yards, and there are always some lanes available for lap swimming during open hours. I've been going weekday mornings, with a small but dedicated crew of swimmers during the 6-9 am hours, when the pool is set up long course (50 meters). To gain access during that time, you either have to be a member of the aquatic center or pay $45 per month. Otherwise, the pool is open 12-7 weekdays, 9-5 on Saturdays, and 12-5 on Sundays, and costs $5 or $10 for admission, depending on residency. There's diving boards and some non-lane-lined areas for kids (and adults) to play, and scheduled water aerobics, water volleyball, and water polo times. When I last looked at the website, it was a bit out of date, but you can call 850-236-2205 for the latest schedule information.

happy new year (and happy swimming),
Janet

**beachmouse** · 01-01-2007, 09:56 PM

Sigh. I really wish I lived close enough to justify coming by for pick up water polo.

Polo rulz!

**Uncle Timmy** · 01-03-2007, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Sigh. I really wish I lived close enough to justify coming by for pick up water polo.

Polo rulz!

I played Water Polo in college. Too old for that now, ugh..plus I wear contact lenses now and they don't exactly go well with splashing water.

Anybody up for a geriatric Water Polo League? We could just float around and try to steal each others drinks from our en-raft coozies.

But....I can add to the comments on the PCB Aquatic Center. I try to go a few times a few times a week to swim and it is well heated, very nice facility. They have a kiddie fun pool for toddlers with slides and fountains which is very popular in the summer -but it will be closed until the warmer weather returns. Main pool will be open thru the winter.