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'I've Been Dreading It': Triad Families Brace for Heat Wave, Public Pools Opening to Offer Relief

Greensboro and Winston-Salem outdoor public pools will open for the first time this season on Saturday.
Credit: WFMY
A Burlington grandmother braces for the Memorial Day Weekend heat wave.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Families in the Piedmont Triad are bracing for a Memorial Day Weekend heat wave, and city pools are opening Saturday for the first time this season offering relief.

RELATED: Memorial Day Weekend Heat Wave On the Way

Combined with humidity, temperatures are forecasted to hover around the 90s throughout the weekend and into next week, according to WFMY meteorologists.

On Friday, Burlington resident Betty Ross cautiously spent the afternoon outside with her twin grandchildren at Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden in Greensboro.

RELATED: Dangerous Heat Is Back, Stay Hydrated!

"I've been dreading it," Ross said about the heat wave. "It went from cold to hot. Welcome to North Carolina weather. We are just going to stay inside, stay cool."

To keep her 16-month-old grandchildren safe from the sun and heat, Ross said she is keeping them hydrated and applying sunscreen.

The sun's ultraviolet rays can damage skin in just 15 minutes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  And that sun damage builds up over the years, which is why it's important to practice sun protection from an early age.

RELATED: Pool Season Is Here. But First, Do You and Your Children Know How to Swim?

"Mom always puts sunscreen on, even if they're out just for a short period of time. It's very important to put that sunscreen on because it does cumulative damage," said Ross.

Sopheara Chhum was also at Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden on Friday. Wearing high school graduation robes, she was taking pictures.

"We are just trying to find some good places to take photos. But it's pretty hard, because it's hot," said Chhum. "I just want to take it off (the graduation gown) and get some ice cream, which I will do after photos."

In Greensboro, four outdoor pools will open for the first time this season on Saturday, May 25. Day passes cost $1 for kids 12 and under, and cost $2 for kids 13 and older.

A city spokesperson said the staff was busy working Friday to prepare the pools.

  • Lindley Pool -  2914 Springwood Dr., Greensboro. Public Swim: Tuesday-Sunday, 1-5 pm
  • Peeler Pool - 1300 Sykes Ave., Greensboro.  Public Swim:
    Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, 1 pm-5 pm
  • Warnersville Pool - 601 Doak St., Greensboro. Public Swim:
    Thursdays through Tuesdays, 1-5 pm
  • Windsor Pool - 1601 E. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro. Public Swim:
    Mondays to Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays, 1-5 pm

In Winston-Salem, three outdoor pools will open Saturday, May 25 for the first time this season. Admission fees are free for kids 2 years and younger,  $2 for kids ages 13-17, and $3 for people ages 18 and older.

  • Winston Waterworks - 3584 Winston Lake Road, Winston-Salem.  May 25-27: Noon - 6 p.m.
  • Bolton Pool - 1590 Bolton Street, Winston-Salem. May 25-27: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Kimberly Park Pool - 620 Burton Street, Winston-Salem. May 25-27: Noon- 6 p.m.

"Come to our city pools. You will stay nice and cool.  It will be very crowded though," said Heather Candelora, Aquatic Supervisor for the City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks.

Winston-Salem city pools are kept safe by a rotating staff of 65 lifeguards, with plans to hire 10 more soon, said Candelora.

"Our team of lifeguards is now at all the pools. They are cleaning the pools and they are also practicing their rescues," said Candelora. "We check all the chemicals for the water to make sure that they're balanced correctly."

Candelora said families should prepare to be patient as crowds are expected Memorial Day Weekend. 

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