Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point -- MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - The Mainside Pool at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., is scheduled to open for recreational use Sept. 22 after two years of construction and repairs in the wake of Hurricane Irene.
The pool, commonly known as the Combat Pool, will remain open year-round for Cherry Point service members and residents, said Dennis Bellamy, the Semper Fit Director with Cherry Point’s Marine Corps Community Services.
“The pool will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for lap swimming, then from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. for recreational swimming,” said Bellamy. “The Saturday and Sunday schedule is recreational swimming from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.”
According to Bellamy, residents of the air station can expect additional improvements at the facility, including new pool furniture and a shaded outdoor patio.
“Having a pool open all year will benefit the residents of Cherry Point who have missed lap and recreational swimming in the fall and winter months,” said Bellamy.
With the re-opening of the Mainside Pool, other classes and lessons previously only held during the spring and summer months can be hosted all year, according to Dawn Crane, the lifeguard supervisor with MCCS aquatics.
“We plan on starting swim lessons and are also in the process of starting fitness and water aerobics classes,” said Crane.
According to Crane, she has been with the aquatics department for more than five years and is excited for re-opening the pool.
“It feels great to finally have the facility open and ready for use by residents of Cherry Point again,” said Crane.