2026 Summer Swim Season Begins; City’s 100th Year of Aquatics Programs

ALBUQUERQUE – The Aquatics Division of the Parks & Recreation Department (PRD) celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century of serving Albuquerque families with swimming pools, spray pads, swim lessons, and seasonal programming. Special events and activities will be held throughout the summer.

Here’s a look at what’s coming this summer:

Swimming Pools:

• May 23-25: All City outdoor pools open for the holiday weekend. (Indoor pools are open year-round, including on Memorial Day weekend.) Due to bathhouse upgrades, Montgomery Pool will not be open)
• May 26-29: Outdoor pools and indoor pools in the evenings close for lifeguard training, emergency response training, facility cleaning, and final preparations.
• May 30: Regular summer pool schedule begins. (Note: Montgomery pool will be closed June 1, for new bathhouse installation)
• June 8: Full summer programming begins, including swim lessons.

“From that first cannonball of summer to the last lap before school starts, our pools and spray pads are where families make memories,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “As the City celebrates 100 years of aquatics, we’re keeping that tradition flowing with fun, affordable places for every family to cool off, learn to swim, and enjoy their neighborhood.”

All of the City’s outdoor pools will be open in 2026 except for Sunport Pool, which is undergoing major structural, plumbing, and deck repairs. Swimmers at West Mesa Aquatic Center Indoor Olympic pool should also expect cooler water temperatures through the end of June, while that pool gets a major boiler upgrade project.

Summer and family swim passes are available for advance purchase at play.cabq.gov or in-person at any City swimming pool. Due to the popularity of Eisenhower Pool, Rio Grande Outdoor Pool, Sierra Vista Pool, and the West Mesa Aquatic Center, session capacity is limited and these facilities sell wristbands for open recreational swim times. Wristbands can be purchased in-person the day of or reserved online up to two days in advance.

“The City’s Aquatics program has swum a long way from the original Tingley Beach pool to the new North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center now under construction,” said PRD Director Dave Simon. “Our facilities have helped five generations of Albuquerque families have fun, stay active, and stay safe.”

Spray Pads:

2026 will mark the first full summer of operations for the new spray pad at Manzano Mesa Multi-Generational Center. The opening schedule for the City’s spray pads is as follows:

• May 23- Sept 27: Alamosa and North Domingo Baca.  Open every day 10:00am-7:00pm
• May 25- Sept 7: Civic Plaza. Open every day 9:00am-8:00pm
• June 8- July 31: Wells Park. Open Monday- Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 10:00am-2:00pm.
• June 15- July 31: Manzano Mesa Multi-Generational Center, Spray Pad at Phil Chacon Park, and West Gate Community Center. Open Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00p; Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm.

Swim Lessons:

• Registration for June swim lesson classes opens Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m. May 2
• Registration for July swim lesson classes opens Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m.

See: play.cabq.gov

“Everyone should know how to swim and our programs makes it easy to learn,” said Simon. 

Special Summer Deals, New Programs, and 100^th Anniversary Celebrations:

• Kids 17 and under swim for free on Sundays
• Children under the age of 2 swim for free
• $1 swim on Friday nights at select pools
• NEW -- Free swim passes for foster families and children. Families can take advantage of this pass by emailing [email protected]
• NEW -- Sierra Vista Pool will offer water aerobics classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• NEW – Dive into Reading Summer Book Club: From May 23 through August 1, children 14 and under can turn in their Book Club reading log for a free single child swim admission. All forms will be entered into a weekly drawing until a total of 100 winners have been selected for a $40 swimming lesson credit. Forms are available at all City pools and libraries, or online at: cabq.gov/aquatics
• NEW -- 100 Lap Summer Swim-a-Thon. Swimmers can set a goal to complete 100 laps in the Parks and Recreation Swim-a-Thon. Proceeds support the Shanta Strong Swim Fund, which provides free swimming lessons to children. Registration opens June 1.
• NEW -- 100^th swimmer free every day at all City pools

Upcoming Summer Events

• May 30: Rio Trio Triathlon (with PRD Recreation) from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Rio Grande Pool. Registration.
• June 26: World’s Largest Swim Lesson from 9 a.m. to noon at West Mesa Aquatic Center. Registration opens on June 1, visit play.cabq.gov to register. This free event offers swim lessons for ages 3 years old and up.
• June 26: Teen Night (with Youth Connect) from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rio Grande Outdoor Pool

 To learn more about pools, spray pads, swim lessons, and summer programming, visit cabq.gov/pools.