(Atlantic) The 2025 Sunnyside Pool experienced a significant increase in attendance this season under the management of the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Chelsea Rush, Aquatics Coordinator, appeared at the Atlantic Park Advisory Commission Meeting on Wednesday afternoon, reporting the admission numbers in 2024 totaled 3,857; this past season, so far, attendance numbers have grown to just over 6,400 people. Rush mentioned the pool opened one week earlier this summer.
Although Rush did not specify a closing date for the pool this season, it seems likely to remain open for at least a couple more weeks, and possibly longer, depending on the weather and chlorine availability. Rush says that staffing to match the large attendance proved to be one of the challenges this season. Rush and the Y are addressing this challenge by offering a lifeguarding class before the start of school for students and adults, in hopes of finding more lifeguards for next year.
Park Advisory Commission Chairman Kevin Ferguson expressed his appreciation for the hard work that went into making this a successful season.
Rush commended the lifeguards for their commitment to interacting with the youth through programs and games during pool hours.
The Park Advisory Commission has considered adding a water slide at Sunnyside Pool. Rush stated that her goal for this season was to assess whether people would visit the pool before pursuing the addition of a water slide. The staff successfully achieved that goal. Due to the significant increase in attendance, the Park Advisory Commission agreed to begin the process of exploring the potential addition of a water slide.
