Gainesville — Aquatic enthusiasts hit the water during Saturday afternoon’s opening of Leonard Park Pool’s 2012 summer swimming season, a refuge for the dry and overheated.

Pool employees said both the facility and upcoming roll of swimming activities should amply suit anyone looking to splash around.

“We have more swimming lessons than we’ve ever had and we’re pretty excited about that,” Parks and Recreation Department Coordinator Thomas Anich said Saturday. “The city’s definitely committed to this pool. We put a lot of effort into getting it ready and I’m excited about it.”

Regular swimming hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Anich’s department offers a lineup of programs such as child swimming lessons June 11 through June 21; a summer-long program called “Swimmin’ Women” for women ages 55 and older, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; “Evening Water Aerobics,” which meets 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and “Family Night,” which is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays. The pool is also often available for rent for private parties.

The pool’s swimming season ends Aug. 18, and as reported earlier, is expected to be the last time visitors will use the facility before extensive upgrades unfold. Gainesville Parks and Recreation Director Patrick McCage said in early May that the 2013 season will feature a new swimming pool, though he added that schematics aren’t available.

“There are plans in place,” McCage said. “We do not have details. All we have is the concept. It’s just poolhouse improvements, and the possibility of slides and other water features. It will definitely be bigger and better than what’s there, but, once again, nothing is set in stone.”

The improvements are certain, however, and are made possible by an unexpected influx of funds.  During a Gainesville City Council meeting on April 17, City Manager Barry Sullivan announced that an extra sales tax income of $2 million through the past few months has made possible a reserve fund. City officials will use much of that reserve money, he explained, to overhaul the Leonard Park swimming facility, and whatever changes do occur are set to launch between the 2012 and 2013 pool seasons.

The timing of the reserve fund is helpful, since the current pool was already in need of more than $70,000 in repairs and the new money will save officials the trouble of subsidizing pool upgrades through longer-term financing.

“That would save us thousands upon thousands of dollars,” Sullivan said on April 17, about the pool reserve fund. “You’re probably looking at close to a six-figure savings over the 20-year life of a bond.”

In the meantime, the pool is still available in its original form and is open for business. Anich, who currently helps direct both the city’s swimming activities and athletics, said the current offerings of Leonard Park Pool should please the masses.

He began his position in February — having transferred from similar staff at the City of Mesquite — and spoke highly of his new surroundings during Saturday’s pool debut.

“I love it,” he said about Gainesville. “It’s got that medium-sized feel to it and everyone seems really receptive to the programming.”

For more information about swimming programs or about renting Leonard Park Pool, call (940) 668-4530.