Saturday at 11 a.m., the Gleason Family YMCA officially opens the new Outdoor Pool to its membership.

Half of the new pool is dedicated to family fun. There is a large, sloped entry that creates a "beach" effect and allows children to play in just inches of water if they like. There are three water spray features in the pool, too. Children who would like to swim in the deep end are deep-water tested and then their arms are marked with a large pen so lifeguards can keep track of who may be in the deep end.

The Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham was built originally to accommodate 5000 members; there are over 7800 members today. More than 1050 members receive financial assistance. Expansion is necessary to maintain quality services and to continue to meet emerging community needs. The total expansion goal is $4.2 million and nearly $3 million has been raised to date. The gym was doubled in size and a suspended track added in 2009. There is $10,000 left to raise for the outdoor pool area. The shell for a new multi-purpose room and new locker rooms with steam and sauna has been built. The remaining donations needed to complete that addition is $938,000. Finally, an endowment has been started; the goal is to raise $275,000 more.

Summertime means water time for many families. Millions of people will venture to their favorite spots to swim, play and create lasting memories. The most important part of these excursions is safety. Whether it's the pool, beach, water park or lakefront YMCA Southcoast reminds communities that when in, on or around the water, it's safety first.

There is an important Pool Rule that did not exist decades ago and that is "No Breath Holding." That rule helps prevent children and adults from losing consciousness under water. The Y is all about preventing drownings. A lifeguard must pass 30 hours of classroom and pool training, followed by training in CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Administration and Automated External Defibrillator (AED). In addition, Y lifeguards must complete two hours of in-service training each month. The lifeguards appreciate parents keeping an eye on their kids as well. The Y has limited the outdoor pool area to 75 entrants to help ensure pool safety.

"Water safety should be a primary concern when engaging in activities in or around the water," said Ron Sutherland, Aquatics Director, Gleason Family YMCA. "The Y's advice to all adults and children is to learn how to swim. It's never too late."

The Y teaches safety and confidence in the water through a variety of fun programs for all ages including Private and Special Needs Swim Lessons, Water Aerobics, and Stretch, Flex and Strengthen programs. 1-month and 3-month memberships are available for purchase at the Welcome Desk inside the main building; membership will also give you full access to the YMCA indoor facility and activities. YMCA Southcoast offers Financial Assistance to those who qualify as an integral part of its mission to improve the spiritual, mental, social and physical conditions of all.

To help keep children and families safe in the water this summer, YMCA Southcoast recommends the following safety tips:

· The best thing you can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim - it's never too late.

· Only swim where a lifeguard is on duty; never swim alone.

· Adults should constantly watch children in and near the water. If multiple adults are in the vicinity, designate a "water watcher" so everyone knows who is "on duty."

· Inexperienced swimmers should take precaution and wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) when in, on or around the water. Children who are beginners should swim within arm's reach of an adult.

The Y has always been recognized as the nation's swim instructor, and is among the country's most trusted provider of water safety programs. Ys across the country teach water safety and other skills through YMCA Splash and other outreach programs to help reduce the disparity among those who learn to swim and those who do not. Nearly 60 percent of African-American and Hispanic/Latino children do not know how to swim, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, many Ys are concentrating on urban swim programs to teach swimming skills and water safety to minority youth, who have a high risk of drowning.

To learn more or sign up for the Gleason Family YMCA's water safety program, contact Ron Sutherland at 508-295-9622 (x27), rsutherland@ymcasouthcoast.org or visit our website for our other YMCA Southcoast locations: www.ymcasouthcoast.org.