Every weekday morning during most of the summer, several dozen children bear down on the Albert Lea Aquatic Center to learn the basics of swimming.

For some it’s the first time to be in the instructional setting in the water; for others it’s a time of continued learning — and fun, too.

Typically, swim lessons begin at 10 minutes after 10 a.m. Mondays through Fridays. Parents meet with their children at the city pool, and then when lessons begin, the children are divided up by age and swimming abilities into smaller groups where they work closer with two lifeguards. There can be no more than 10 in any given group.

The lifeguards teach the children skills, and the children practice. Then, eventually, the children are tested to see if they can pass off what they’ve learned. They learn things such as breathing techniques, strokes and kicks.

Faye Anderson, who brings her 5-year-old grandson Stephen Squires to swim lessons, said Stephen has learned to do things like floating and ducking his head under the water.

“I want him to learn how to swim,” Anderson said. “Plus he needs that socialization.”

He’s enjoyed it so much, he’s already ready to sign up for the next level, she noted.

“It’s just a good, good thing for the kids,” she said. “It really is.”

Becci Anderson, who brings her daughter, Makayla, to the lessons, said she’s just wanted her daughter to learn how to swim.

“She enjoys the water,” she said.

So far between 400 and 500 children have signed up for swim lessons at the pool, said Parks and Recreation Director Jay Hutchison.

The lessons are just one of several programs and events that take place at the city pool throughout the summer. The pool offers many amenities to its patrons.

Originally built in 1977, it was renovated in 1998, when the water slide, family bath house and several other features were added.

In addition to the 226-foot-tall, blue slide for which it is known, the pool offers two one-meter diving boards, a swimming pool ranging in depth from 3 1/2 feet to 13 feet, a second pool for younger swimmers and plenty of space for sunbathers.

There are also areas under wide umbrellas where people can sit in the shade.

The pool is open to the public from 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays this summer.

Daily admission fees are $1.25 for children ages 2 and younger, $3.25 for children and youth ages 3 to 17, and $3.50 for adults 18 and older.

New this year are individual season passes for $30 for Albert Lea residents and $40 for out of town residents plus tax.

Jenny Davis, recreation program supervisor for Parks and Recreation, said those passes have been pretty popular thus far.

Group rates are available for nonprofit organizations.

In addition to regular swim times there are special events and activities held at the pool, too.

New this year are $2 Tuesdays where children ages 3 to 17 and adults ages 18 and over can get in the pool for $2 and children under 3 can get in for $1, Davis said.

There is also Splash with Me, a free program for parents and children ages 6 months to 3 years old, which is from 9:15 to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. Parents and their young children can enjoy open playtime at the pool and use the facility’s water toys.

There are three different swim sessions, each of which run for two weeks.

Water aerobics is on Monday and Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and on Sundays and Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The pool may be closed if the air temperature is below 65 degrees, or based on inclement weather, low attendance or unusual circumstances, Davis said.

The pool is open, however, if there’s rain — and no thunder — and it’s above 65 degrees.