The Summer Internship Program is sponsored by the New Canaan Racquet Club.
After a slow start brought on by colder weather, the Steve Benko Pool in Waveny is settling into a busy summer season, officials say.
Aquatics Manager Steve Dayton said attendance has fluctuated so far, with colder days keeping some swimmers away before a recent stretch of heat brought crowds back.
“The summer has been OK,” Dayton said. “We’ve had some cold weather, which kept people away, but then we had some really hot weather. Those days we were very busy.”
Dayton said attendance typically becomes more consistent once school lets out, and he expects that pattern to continue in the coming weeks.
While there are no major new features or additions at the pool this summer, Dayton said demand for memberships remains steady. He estimated the town has sold close to 600 family passes so far, a figure he said is in line with last year’s pace. By the end of the season, Dayton said the pool will likely reach around 800 family passes, which he described as normal for the popular town facility.
Dayton said the Steve Benko Pool continues to draw New Canaan families because of its affordability and convenience.
“It’s a very good price for the value,” Dayton said. “You can come for three months as a family unlimited times.”
Its location in Waveny also makes it an easy destination for residents, he said.
“As a New Canaan resident, you can be here in 15 minutes usually. People just like to come and spend time,” Dayton said.
The pool’s season took an unusual turn recently, when a car crashed through the perimeter fence and into the pool while the facility was closed. No one was injured, and Dayton said the town was fortunate the damage was limited.
“We were extremely lucky,” Dayton said. “He [the driver] did not damage any part of the pool.”
To make sure the pool was safe to reopen, staff drained the water, power-washed and vacuumed the entire pool, and then refilled it, Dayton said.
“There shouldn’t be any residual effects from the crash,” he said.