By Becca Lemire
Alex Duff Memorial Pool located in Christie Pitts Park (Bloor and Crawford) is one of a handful of pools in the GTA that are staying open until 11:45 (pm!) during heat waves. A “heat wave” is determined by them when the humidex (percentage of humidity) registers between 35-45 degrees Celsius at 1pm. Duff is open late tonight, and possibly tomorrow, but your best bet is to call ahead of time and make sure. If swimming with dozens of day camps and their respective children during the day is your type of thing by all means hit the pool during the sunshine hours. But having gone at around 10pm last night myself, having room to splash around is relaxing and luxurious. Lifeguard Zoe Greenwald at Duff said the first couple hours they are open (10am-noonish) are less crowded as well, or just wait till the kiddies get tucked in and rejoice! Nighttime swimming is also the bomb because the non-heated pools get super chilly when the sun goes down, and it’s more refreshing than sticking your face in the freezer. Think sitting in a slushee. The super deep diving pool for the brave patrons feels like a glacial lake. My body temp felt lowered for hours after and it was DIVINE. Here are some pools to scope out for evening pool parties:

Alex Duff (Christie Pitts): 416 392 0910

Alexandra Park (Scadding Court): 416 392 0335