Oakland aquatic center to open early

COLUMBIA — With temperatures expected to reach the mid- to upper 80s by Sunday, the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is planning to help residents keep cool with an early opening at the Oakland pool.

The Oakland Family Aquatic Center will be open noon to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday, as well as May 31 and June 1, according to a news release from the department.

Oakland, along with the rest of Columbia’s outdoor pools, will open for the summer on June 4. Spraygrounds that have been constructed at Stephens Lake Park and Flat Branch Park also will be open to the public at no charge.

Starting June 4, the following outdoor pools will have normal summer operating hours:

— Oakland Family Aquatic Center, 1900 Blue Ridge Road

Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday

— Lake of the Woods Recreation Area, 6700 St. Charles Road

Noon to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday

— Douglass Family Aquatic Center, 400 N. Providence Road

1 to 8 p.m. daily

— Pirates’ Landing at Twin Lakes Recreation Area, 2500 Chapel Hill Road

Little Mates’ Cove: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday

The Lake at Pirates Cove: Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Summer 2008 fees are $2.25 for children ages 2 to 15 and $3.50 for adults 16 and older. Admission at Douglass is $1.