Valley Stream pool opens

After nearly a week of summer-like temperatures, it was an unseasonably cool day for the opening of the Valley Stream last Saturday morning. Early on, lifeguards outnumbered swimmers at least 2-to-1.

Yet despite temperatures only in the 70s and some light rain, a few people still decided to go for a swim. Mark Lozano, a lifelong Valley Stream resident, was the first one in the pool for the season. He swam several laps in the main pool right after the facility opened at 10 a.m.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” he said of being the first swimmer of the year at the village pool complex. “I have a busy schedule. I wanted to get my exercise in.”

Lozano, who said he has been coming to the pool for most of his life, said the water was warmer than he expected. “Usually it’s chilly this time of year,” he said.

Paul Rosado, a student at North High School and Zach Fink, who attends Holy Name of Mary School, also were among the season’s first swimmers. “We wanted to be the first kids in the pool,” said Rosado, 13. He added that he also came to the pool on the last day it was open in 2010.

Nicholas Scelfo, 12, was the first one to jump off the diving board. After taking a few plunges, he went over the swim in the main pool.

The pool is open on weekdays from noon to 7:45 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Beginning June 25, the pool is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day through Sept. 5.