10+ Pools Near Omaha & Swimming Safety Tips

Families hoping to spend some time at the pool this summer are in luck – there are several pools (and even a lake) that’s open for swimming in Cass County and Sarpy County this year. But before you grab the goggles and sunscreen, take a second to read these swim safety tips. My partnership with Safe Kids Cass and Sarpy County over the years has taught me that accidents can happen anywhere and at any time, so it’s important to keep safety at the top of mind always.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Safe Kids Cass & Sarpy County. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own.

Tips for swimming safety

Safe Kids Worldwide has this great list of tips to keep kids safe in the pool on their website. Here’s the list that I found to be helpful:

Watch kids when they are in or around water. Keep young children and weak swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure more experienced swimmers are with a partner every time.
Choose a Water Watcher. When there are several adults present, choose one to be responsible for watching children in or near the water for a certain period of time, such as 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, select another adult to be the Water Watcher.
Teach children how to swim. Every child is different, so enroll children in swim lessons when they are ready. Consider their age, development and how often they are around water. I’m familiar with Y swim lessons (you can find some starting soon at Sarpy YMCA), as well as Goldfish Swim School. Papio Bay also offers swimming lessons.
Make sure kids learn these five water survival skills. One local program that I think does a fantastic job teaching kids water safety is the Josh The Otter Water Safety & Awareness Project created by the Nebraska nonprofit, Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation
1. Step or jump into water over their head and return to the surface.
2. Turn around in the water and orient to safety.
3. Float or tread water.
4. Combine breathing with forward movement in the water.
5. Exit the water.
Teach children that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Be aware of situations that are unique to open water, such as limited visibility, depth, uneven surfaces, currents and undertow. These potential hazards can make swimming in open water more challenging than swimming in a pool.
Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills. It is important to know how to respond in an emergency without putting yourself at risk of drowning. Learning these skills may help you save a life.

For more swim tips, visit safekids.org and if you’re heading out to a lake or river, review this Open Water Safety Checklist.

Swimming pools in Sarpy and Cass counties (near Omaha)

Armed with safety tips, you’re ready to jump into a pool. Here’s a list of pools in cities and towns in Sarpy and Cass counties, Nebraska.

Note: Pool hours are subject to change. Please call ahead of your visit to avoid an unforeseen closure.

Cascio Pool, 1500 Lawrence Lane, Bellevue, Neb. (402) 293-3149. Hours: Monday-Saturday, noon to 6:45 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5:45 p.m.; open until 8:45 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Dowding Pool, 14th and Washington streets, Bellevue, Neb. (402) 293-3150. Hours: Monday-Saturday, noon to 6:45 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5:45 p.m.; open until 8:45 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Eagle Municipal Pool, Applewood Drive, Eagle, Neb. (402) 781-2033
Gilbert Pool, 29th and Jackson streets, Bellevue, Neb. (402) 293-3151. Hours: Monday-Saturday, noon to 6:45 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5:45 p.m.; open until 8:45 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Gretna City Pool, Highway 6/31 and West.Angus Road, Gretna, Neb. (402) 332-3336. Hours: Monday-Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
La Vista Municipal Pool, 7529 S. 85th St., La Vista, Neb. (402) 597-0733. Hours: Monday-Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m. (limited hours starting Aug. 8).
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Family Aquatic Center, 28500 W. Park, Ashland, Neb. (402) 944-2523. Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, noon to 5 p.m and 6 to 8 p.m. Closed Tuesday & Thursday. (Limited hours starting Aug. 1).
Papio Bay Aquatic Center, 815 E. Halleck St., Papillon, Neb. (402) 597-2055. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday, noon to 6:30 p.m.
Weeping Water Municipal Swimming Pool, 311 West River Road, Weeping Water, Neb. (402) 267-7755.

Related post: Looking for pools in Omaha? You’ll find a list of pools in this Omaha summer guide.

More water activities in Cass and Sarpy counties:

Louisville State Recreation Area swimming beach and floating playground, 18510 Highway 50, Louisville, Neb. (402) 234-6855. Swimming beach hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (no lifeguard on duty). Playground hours: Wednesday-Sunday, and closed non-holiday Mondays and Tuesdays through mid-August. 90-minute sessions will begin each day at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (Limited hours starting Aug. 8)
Tubing and Adventures, 25205 Harrison St., Waterloo, Neb. (402) 885-9966. Activities on the Elkhorn River include tubing and kayaking.