Warm Up to September Swimming

Don't put your swimsuits away just yet.

For the first time, one of Montgomery Village's outdoor pools will stay open through September so that the water-loving can swim a balmy 85 degrees, thanks to a newly installed water-heater.

The Montgomery Village Foundation installed Stedwick pool's $30,000 water heater this summer, making it the first of the umbrella HOA's seven pools to be outfitted for cool-weather swimming. They flipped the switch Sept. 5, the first day after MVF traditionally shuts its pools down post-summer.

Heated pools have made a big splash in Reston, VA, one of the other two "New Town" planned communities along which Montgomery Village was designed.

"Their residents really like it, and we're already getting postive feedback already from having the pool open for our extended hours," said Peggy Mark, MVF's parks/rec director.

Stedwick pool's extended hours are:

• Wednesday through Friday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7:30 p.m.

• The pool will also be open on September's two school holidays -- Monday, Sept. 17 and Wednesday, Sept. 26 -- from noon to 7:30 p.m

September swimming is part of MVF's broader effort to expand the Village's recreational and healthy-living amenities.

Two years ago, the MVF's Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee surveyed residents and set to work determining what kinds of amenities and programs would help making Montgomery Village more attractive to today's prospective homebuyers. Heating one of the MVF pools ranked high on the list of short-term upgrades.

Another offshoot of that effort is MVFit, an innovative fitness and nutrition initiative that will cater toward Montgomery Village residents.

The MVF board of directors is partnering with the MVFit Committee to throw a ribbon-cutting celebration at Stedwick pool from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. today. For kids, it will feature children’s games and a duck hunt. Adults can get a free trial of a "Deep Water Running" program.

And for everyone, a little ice cream will be served up before the sun sets.