IU's Outdoor Pool offers splishin' splashin' fun for summer students

After a long year of classes, most students at IU go home for the summer to relax. For those who stay in Bloomington, to take summer classes or for other reasons, there is plenty of opportunity to relax here and have a good time at the IU Outdoor Pool at the corner of Fee Lane and 17th Street. \nThe Outdoor Pool opens for the summer May 27, with its annual open house from 5 to 8 p.m. The pool closes on Labor Day for the season. \n"The pool is for students, part of the IU campus, and I think they should come out and experience the atmosphere," said Bill Ramos, assistant director of the Outdoor Pool. "It's a relaxing atmosphere."\nSophomore Brittany Wallis said she has had several great experiences at the pool. \n"I've gone to the IU pool my whole life because I've been able to do a multitude of things; from competitive swimming to merely laying out to soak up the sun's rays," she said. "The IU pool has been a place for me to go during the summer to enjoy myself while interacting with students as well as the Bloomington Community and their families."\nThe IU Outdoor Pool consists of three separate pools. One is for competitive swimming, another for diving with diving boards, and the third is for instructional purposes. The facility is complete with lawn and deck chairs and provides a concession stand features ice cream, candy and drinks. It is open to everyone. \nRamos says students with pools at their apartment complexes tend not to visit the campus pool. But he said it's a good social atmosphere, and people use it as a place to meet and hang out.\nJunior Kim Hedge, who worked at the pool last summer, agrees.\n"The IU Outdoor Pool is a great place for college students to swim and soak up the sun," she said. "The atmosphere is very chill and there aren't as many little kids running around. And if you are a thrill seeker, go check out the 10-meter platform."\nThe pool is now accepting applications for Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor positions. For more information about the pool, visit www.indiana.edu/~iuop. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Nathan \nTomlanovich at ntomlano@indiana.edu.