• CHRISTINA BURKE - Victoria Advocate
• Originally published May 24, 2008 at 11:43 p.m., updated May 24, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.

The Gary T. Moses Municipal Swimming Pool is an oasis in the scorching heat of a South Texas summer where temperatures are already reaching the mid-90s. The murals on the walls, so artfully done, could very well be a mirage.

On Saturday - the first day of the summer swim season - the water was more inviting than the heat. About 207 people were at the pool on it’s first day open, today.

And it brought back memories of younger years to some patrons.

Belinda Robles started going to the community pool when she was 9. Now, 20 years later, she and her husband look forward to spending time with their three children in its cool blue waters.

Some things have changed, she said, since she was a young girl growing up in Victoria. The pool was run by Patti Welder teachers like Mr. Boom, Coach Harris and Gary Moses.

There were diving boards then, but the slides and canopies are new, she said, looking around and taking survey of the changes.

“Everything else is pretty much the same,” she said.

Belinda and her husband, Anthony Robles, 29, were visiting from Houston for Memorial Day weekend.

They said the pool was a place where they made many memories as children.

“A lot of kids used to come here. This used to be the place everybody would come and meet each other,” said Belinda, 28.

“I was 7 years old when I first started coming here,” said Anthony. Once, he recalled, his older brother pushed him in.

For Anthony, the absence of diving boards is one thing that detracts from the pool. “That was the mark of the place. Not only was it a big enough place for a lot of people to swim, I think the real reason was the boards... When you take fun things away from kids and teenagers, they find something dangerous.”

Diving boards aside, Anthony sees a lot of positive changes.

“This whole park has changed for the best. To be honest with you, I hate it when we have to leave here, my kids hate it. I think this city pool is going to be a big thing this summer.”

The couple said they appreciate the sense of security they feel at the community pool.

“In Houston, it is very hard to find a place to swim.... There are kidnappings, sexual predators and it’s dangerous,” Anthony said.

The younger generation has no complaints.

“It’s amazing,” said daughter Amber, 10, about the pool. She said she enjoys the slides and swimming in the deep end.

While the pool was open, it was not completely set up for the summer season on Saturday.

The vending machines were not set up.

“We are in the process of getting that up. The company we contracted with was not able to get them up this weekend, but they will be up next weekend. We do have water available,” said Sandra Conley, Victoria Parks and Recreation recreation specialist.

Safety is a high priority for the parks and recreation department and some changes have been made this season.

Conley said that water wings or floaties, the inflatable flotation devices that go around a child’s arms, are no longer permitted due to reported drownings.

“Every year 1,500 children will drown, 50 percent of those in backyard pools,” she said. To prevent drowning, Conley recommended using one of the U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices that are meant for anyone who can’t swim.

The pool has five full-time lifeguards on duty at all times. There are 10 lifeguards and the pool manager who work there. Each is American Red Cross certified in CPR, AED, first aid and lifeguarding.

On June 5, another lifeguard training session will be held at the reduced price of $75. If employed by the city, the fee will be reimbursed at the end of the summer. To register, call 361-485-3200.

Conley also said that inflatable toys, such as inner tubes and floating lounge chairs, are not allowed for visibility reasons.

“We don’t want to keep people from having fun, we just want to keep them safe.”

What is allowed are noodles and beach balls.

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