Parks & Rec preparing for Shark Week

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The last week of June has come to be known as “Shark Week”, but the Copperas Cove Parks & Recreation Department employees hope that won’t keep swimmers away next week from City Park Pool, located at 1206 W. Ave. B.
Starting Monday evening, the department is kicking off a series of events at the pool to celebrate Shark Week. All Shark Week events go from 7:30-10 p.m. and are open to the entire family. During open swim hours, swim passes are accepted for admission. However, for Shark Week special events the passes won’t be accepted. 
The Parks & Recreation Department has plans to use the nightly events to help support a cause—the city’s Animal Shelter. 
“During these events, entry fees will be $3.25 per person or a donation of an animal product, i.e. food, bedding, chew toys per entry. All proceeds will go to the Copperas Cove Animal Shelter,” said Nic Cantrell, Parks & Recreation Superintendent.
On Monday June 26, the night’s theme is “Float & Glow.”
“There will be glow-in-the-dark beach balls and LED lights in the pool,” Cantrell said. “There will also be a belly flop contest for kids and adults and the winner will get a prize.”
Tuesday night’s big event will be a “Dive-in Movie”, with the showing of the movie “Sing.” 
Cantrell said the movie was selected via a Facebook poll, and the movie will be projected on a 200-inch screen for the community to enjoy, starting at 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday night will be a game of Sharks & Minnows, with a new round of games being held every 30 minutes, starting at 8 p.m. 
“Be a part of one of the best water games known to man. There will be two games going on, an advanced game in the deep-end for good swimmers and adults, and a kids-only game going on in the shallow end. Shark fins will be provided,” said Cantrell. 
Then on Thursday evening comes Real-Life Battleship, when the deep-end will be roped off for battleship action with canoes, buckets and kickboards. 
“We will have canoes on hand for willing participants. Participants will get a bucket and two kickboards. The object is to get as much water as you can in your opponent’s canoe. The last canoe to stay afloat is the winner,” Cantrell said. 
In addition to Shark Week, the city’s pools offer a busy regular aquatics schedule with both the City Park pool and the South Park pools open for residents and non-residents six days a week from Memorial Day weekend through August 19. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings are dedicated to private pool parties after 7:30 p.m. 
City Park Pool is closed on Mondays for cleaning and maintenance. Open swim is from noon until 7 p.m. daily, with lap swims held Tuesday through Friday from 7–8 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday nights, except for Shark Week, are family swim nights from 7-9 p.m. South Park pool is closed Tuesdays and has open swim from noon until 5 p.m. daily. South Park pool is also available for private parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Swimming lessons are held at the city pools every week through August 10, with three available class times to include 8:30-9:15 a.m. and 9:45-10:30 a.m. at City Park Pool and from 7-7:45 p.m. at South Park Pool.
For more information about the aquatics programs, rates and times, call the Parks & Recreation Department at: (254) 542-2719.