The Milner Recreation Center in McMinnville is now selling pool passes for this summer’s Gilley Pool season.
Wellness and Aquatics Coordinator Katie Smartt said the 800,000 gallon pool will be open from May 25 to September 2. Smartt said individual passes are $85 per person and family passes are $265.
“For you to be under a family pass it’s you, your spouse, and then any children living in the home with you that are under the age of eighteen,” Smartt said. “And, you know, if you have five kids, then it would include those five or what have you. And that’s, again, it gets the entire family in for the entirety of the summer.”
Smartt said the center is selling passes this far in advance to ensure that people can immediately get into the pool instead of having to wait in long lines on opening day. She said the pool has a large single slide, double flume slide, diving board, lap lanes, and a variety of other offerings to enjoy in addition to the other parts of the rec center.
“We have a capacity of 800 people at any given time,” Smartt said. “We have music playing, we have lounge – chaise lounge chairs, we have a concession stand. Family-friendly. It’s just a great outdoor experience. And then you can, you know, use the jungle gym that’s also, you know, adjacent to the pool that’s on the Milner Center property. They have a large playground out there for younger kids, and then on the other side of the jungle gym is for the older kids.”
Smartt said the pool will be open from 10:00am to 5:00pm from Monday to Saturday, with the option to reserve the pool for private parties from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. She said the pool will be open from 1:00pm to 5:00pm on Sundays.
Smartt said those visiting the pool can get a hand stamp that will allow them to return anytime throughout the day.
“People can go out and, you know, tool around at the park, and then come back in, or they can play softball or what have you, and then come back in and cool off at the pool,” Smartt said.
Smartt said the pool gets a lot of visitors from outside of Warren County.
“We typically get a number of church groups, one that comes as far as from Nashville, my understanding each year,” Smartt said. “And they would like come every – let’s say it’s a Friday. And they’ll give us a heads up, ’cause they might bring 150 kids on a few different buses, and they bus them in.”
Smartt said the pool will decrease its hours of operation after school resumes in August.
“Most of the guards are at – obviously back in school or back at college,” Smartt said. “So then we only go to a weekend-only, like a Saturday 10:00 to 5:00, for those last three Saturdays of August because we just don’t have the numbers to stay open during the week.”
Those interested in buying a pass can go to the Milner Recreation Center’s front desk or call them at 931-473-1212 for more information.
“We’re already gotten – getting lifeguards lined up, and, you know, we’re ready to go,” Smartt said. “We had a great year last year and we’re looking forward to an even better one this year.”