Community Corner
Wave Pool to Open Saturday With Increased Security
County police officer to monitor wave pool after shootout erupted in parking lot last year.
As the Boyce Park Wave Pool prepares to open Saturday, the park will be increasing security for swim season.
There will be a county policeman staffed inside the wave pool from open to close this summer in addition to the current officer who patrols the entire park.
Earlier this week, juveniles vandalized the concession stand and lights at the pool.
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Last summer, there was a shootout involving two gunmen at the parking lot outside the wave pool, in which an 18-year-old was charged with disarming a firearm into an occupied structure and recklessly endangering another person, among other charges.
Boyce Park Manager Tom Mettrick said the added security will deter similar events.
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“Just his presence alone will keep down the problems,” Mettrick said.
While the one officer will be assigned inside the wave pool, both officers will monitor the parking lot.
The incidents should not label the pool as dangerous, Allegheny County Spokesman Kevin Evanto said. Suspects were detained immediately, and he said the incident should testify to the readiness of on-duty officers and the safety of the facility.
“That tells us that the level of security and patrol that goes on at Boyce Park is adequate,” Evanto said.
“No one was injured, luckily,” he added.
Mettrick said the shooting is an incident that unfortunately can occur with large crowds.
“It just happened,” he said.
There is no capacity limit for wave pool guests, Mettrick said. Throughout the summer, he said the pool welcomes about 56,000 guests, and attendance has been steady over the last few years.
The pool will be open daily 11:30 a.m. to 7:30, weather permitting, from June 4 through Labor Day. If the pool does not open by 2 p.m. due to weather, the pool will remain closed for the remainder of the day.
Admission for adults ages 18 and older is $5, for ages 13 to 17 it's $4, for ages 6 to 12 it's $3, for children ages 5 and younger it's $1 and seniors ages 60 and older pay $3.
Pool passes also are available at the Boyce Park administration office. Group discounts are available
The wave pool will offer free weekly swim lessons to children 5 and younger during July.
For more information on rates and events, visit the Boyce Park Wave Pool website.
