The following articles appeared in the June 2024 print edition of Open Line.

Set for Summer: Samford Pool back in a splash

From front flips to belly flops, Samford Pool is still making a splash at almost 50 years old.

The City of Auburn’s community pool opened to the public in 1976, beginning a long history helping generations of Auburn residents learn to swim and beat the summer heat. In its 48 years, the pool has been a venue not just for swim lessons but scuba diving classes, polar plunges, pup pool parties, float-in movies, belly flop contests and more.

Auburn Parks and Recreation Department staff have a busy year planned for Samford Pool, which reopens for the season May 25, with dedicated hours for lap swim and recreation swim. A full daily schedule is available online at auburnalabama.org/aquatics.

In addition to daily swim, there are a few special events planned this year:

• Float In Movie, “Shark Tale.” Saturday, June 8, 8-10 p.m.
• Family Splash, with free admission. Saturday, June 15,10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Float In Movie, “Jaws.” Saturday, July 13, 8-10:30 p.m.
• Dog Days of Summer: Dog Pool Pawty. September, event date TBD.

In addition to events and daily swim, Samford Pool is the host of programs benefitting Auburn residents of all ages and walks of life.

The City’s swim lesson program covers preschool-aged children up to adults. Beginning this year, Tiger Shark Swim School will begin teaching swim lessons at the pool. Participants will still sign up for swim lessons the same as in previous years through Parks and Recreation’s online registration system at auburnalabama.org/register.

It’s one of these swim lesson programs that makes Maura Toohey, aquatics and special events coordinator for Auburn Parks and Recreation, proud to manage Samford Pool. Through a partnership with the Auburn University Master Swim Team, Auburn Parks and Recreation offers free swim lessons to children participating in the Boys and Girls Club of East Alabama.

“This will be the fourth summer, and we’ve had dozens of kids come through this program,” Toohey said. “I would say without a doubt, it’s some kids who would not have access to pools and swimming lessons. We’ve even had some year after year, and to see their progress is really awesome.”

For those looking for their sea legs, Samford Pool hosts scuba classes taught by Adventure Sports. In the winter, the pool hosts the Polar Plunge, raising money for Lee County Special Olympics. Parks and Recreation closes the pool season with a pool party for local dog owners, including treats, a swimsuit contest and all the fetching a dog can handle.

It’s not just another great year to enjoy the pool – this is the last year that Samford Pool will pull solo summer duty for the community. The Lake Wilmore Community Center, which will include a covered pool open year-round, is slated to open this fall.

Samford Pool will remain open during the summers on its usual schedule after the opening of Lake Wilmore, meaning there will be plenty of summer fun to go around at the pool on Wrights Mill Road.

SummerNight Downtown Art Walk

The SummerNight Downtown Art Walk will be held Friday, June 7, from 6-10 p.m. in downtown Auburn. The FREE event will feature works by local artists, live musical entertainment, children’s activities and a Surfin’ Guacamole culinary contest. Downtown merchants and restaurants will remain open after regular business hours, so come shop, dine and enjoy downtown!

Applications for artists, volunteers and the culinary contest are available at auburnsummernight.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

SummerNight is a downtown entertainment district event and will take place rain or shine. The event is hosted by Auburn Parks and Recreation, the Auburn Arts Association and the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association.

For more information, please visit auburnsummernight.org or contact the SummerNight Headquarters at (334) 501-2963.

Juneteenth holiday schedules

Auburn City Hall and most City facilities will be closed in observance of Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19. Police, fire and communications will remain on their regular schedules. Wednesday’s garbage, trash and recycling collection route will run on Thursday, June 20, and Thursday’s route will run on Friday, June 21.

Connect with City staff through Auburn FixIt

It’s been four years since we launched the Auburn FixIt app, giving Auburn residents a way to report issues and submit requests directly to the City staff members who can help. Since then, you’ve submitted 5,623 requests, and more than 3,200 people have downloaded the app. Thanks for helping make Auburn a better place!

Through the app, you can do everything from reporting a missing pet to submitting a request for traffic sign or pothole repair. You can download the app on your phone by searching “Auburn FixIt” in your phone’s app store, or you can create an account online at auburnalabama.org/FixIt.

To submit a service request simply create an account; select the location of the issue; attach any relevant photos, video or audio; and add any details that we’ll need to help resolve the issue. Once the request has been submitted, you can check back at any time to check the status or make additional comments.

Find more info and download the app at auburnalabama.org/FixIt.

Construction regulation reminders

Last year, 534 single-family homes were permitted in Auburn, with 593 other construction permits issued. These construction projects required over 20,000 inspections by City staff. As Auburn continues to grow, we want to remind everyone of guidelines contractors must follow when working in Auburn.

WORK TIMES

According to City Code, no construction work is allowed to begin before 7 a.m., and workers must cease daily operations by 7 p.m. in single-family neighborhoods. This is the same for commercial or multi-family sites that are adjacent to a single-family neighborhood.

Construction projects in commercial or multi-family areas that are not adjacent to subdivisions are allowed to begin work at 6 a.m.

Work, such as painting or cleaning, that does not involve noise or disturb the peace may be performed at any time.

When projects involve concrete pouring in high-traffic areas, the City of Auburn allows early morning concrete pours. Earlier start times allow work to finish before peak traffic hours begin for the day. This helps avoid traffic congestion issues caused by multiple concrete trucks in one area.

ON-SITE BURNING

Residents may also notice on-site burning at active construction sites. Burning is allowed in some circumstances, and contractors are required to receive a burn permit prior to any burning. City code restricts the number of days a burn permit is issued, the materials that can be burned and where burning can be located on a site. The code also requires that burning be supervised. The City considers weather conditions and will issue a no-burn order if needed based on yearly rainfall, wind conditions, humidity and other factors.

If you are concerned about construction start times, on-site burning or other issues happening near you, please report the issue through the Auburn FixIt app (auburnalabama.org/fixit), and our staff will reach out to resolve the issue.

Board & commission vacancies

Interested in serving our community? The Auburn City Council will make appointments to the Auburn Planning Commission on July 16. Applications will open on May 22. Find a link to apply and more info at auburnalabama.org/boards.

Chapter Chats Book Club

JUNE 18 • 5:30 PM

Chat up fellow readers each month with a new book selection. Books cover a variety of genres, so there is something for everyone! The book club will meet at the Auburn Public Library on Tuesday, June 18, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss “Trust” by Hernan Diaz.

Adventure begins at your library: Summer Learning Challenge runs June 1-July 31

The Auburn Public Library’s Summer Learning Challenge is back and is open to all ages! Read or listen for at least 1,000 minutes from June 1 through July 31.

Register and track your reading via the Beanstack Tracker app or at auburnpl.beanstack.org.

Participants can pick up their registration prize at the Library (while supplies last). Those who complete the challenge by July 31 will earn a T-shirt (while supplies last) and will be entered into the grand prize drawing.

You’re invited to celebrate the beginning of the challenge at the Summer Learning Challenge Kickoff on Tuesday, June 4, from 5:30-7 p.m. Register for the challenge, enjoy Kona Ice, play games and more!