Swimming pools to open for season
Summer is around the corner, and with it comes the opening of several area pools to help South Belters beat the heat.
The majority of local pools will be open Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day weekend. They will then reopen daily the following weekend for the duration of the summer.
All area pools will be closed for cleaning on Mondays (with the exceptions of Memorial Day and Labor Day).
Clear Brook City MUD
Clear Brook Meadows’ pool hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Sageglen pool hours will be from noon through 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The Riverstone Ranch pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on Sundays, when hours will be from noon to 8 p.m.
The swimming pool at Riverstone Ranch at Clear Creek will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ashley Pointe’s pool hours will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Highland Meadows pool hours will be 3 to 8 p.m.
City of Houston
Once again, city swimming pools will operate on limited hours and open for the summer in a staggered fashion, according to Houston Parks and Recreation Department officials.
Citing a national lifeguard shortage, the city will open its pools in three phases. Phase I will begin Saturday, May 23, with the opening of 11 swimming pools throughout the city.
Wilson Memorial Park on Gilpin near Edgebrook and SH 3/Old Galveston Road will be the nearest city facility to open during the first phase.
City pools will operate on Saturdays and Sundays only through Sunday, June 7, when the pools will be open daily (except for Mondays) through Labor Day Monday, Sept. 1. Phase I pool hours are Saturdays from 1 to 7 p.m., Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. and Memorial Day from 1 to 5 p.m.
City officials said more pools will open during Phase I as additional staff members are hired. The city is currently hiring lifeguards for the 2026 season. All lifeguards must be 15 years of age or older. While all lifeguards must be strong swimmers, previous lifeguard experience is not necessary. For more information on becoming a city lifeguard, visit www.houstontx.gov/parks/pdfs/2026/2026LifeguardFlyer.pdf.
Phase II will begin Tuesday, June 16. More details will be announced as they become available, city officials said.
For the latest updates on the city’s swimming pool openings, visit www.houstontx.gov/parks/swimming.html.
Primary runoffs scheduled to take place May 26
South Belt voters return to the polls Tuesday, May 26, for the primary runoff elections, deciding key races in the county, state and federal levels.
Early voting is already underway and will continue through Friday, May 22.
Runoffs are required when no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote in the initial primary. Winners will go on to represent their party in the November election.
County races
– Harris County Judge: The Harris County judge position remains unsettled on both party ballots.
Democrats: Democratic voters will choose between Annise Parker, the former Houston mayor, and Letitia Plummer, a former Houston City Council member.
Republicans: Republican voters will select either Orlando Sanchez, previously Harris County treasurer and a Houston City Council member, or Warren Howell, a local businessman.
The county judge serves as Harris County’s chief executive, overseeing emergency response, budgeting and major countywide initiatives. Current Judge Lina Hidalgo, who has faced recent controversy, is not seeking another term.
State races
– Texas attorney general: Both parties also continue their contests for Texas attorney general.
Democrats: Democrats will decide between Joe Jaworski, former Galveston mayor, and State Sen. Nathan Johnson.
Republicans: Republicans will choose either State Sen. Mayes Middleton or U.S. Rep. Chip Roy.
– Texas lieutenant governor (Democratic runoff)
Democratic voters will also determine their nominee for Texas lieutenant governor, selecting between Vikki Goodwin and Marcos Velez.
Federal races
– U.S. Senate (Republican runoff): On the Republican ballot for the U.S. Senate, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn faces a challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a matchup drawing significant statewide attention.
– 18th Congressional District (Democratic runoff): Voters in the 18th Congressional District, which has long leaned Democratic, will choose the Democratic nominee between longtime U.S. Rep. Al Green and Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee.
Voting information
Local voters should know that polling locations often differ on Election Day from early voting.
Early voting began Monday, May 18, and will continue through Friday, May 22. Voters may participate in either the Democratic or Republican runoff – but not both.
– Early voting locations: Early voting locations include the following sites:
– Harris County Scarsdale Annex 10851 Scarsdale Blvd.
– BakerRipley Pasadena Campus, 720 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena
– Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane
– East Harris County Activity Center, 7340 Spencer Highway, Pasadena
Election Day voting locations: Election Day polling locations include the following sites:
– Harris County Scarsdale Annex, 10851 Scarsdale Boulevard
– Beverly Hills Community Center, 10201 Kingspoint Road
– Clear Brook High School, 4607 FM 2351, Friendswood
– BakerRipley Pasadena Campus, 720 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena
For additional information, to see a sample ballot or complete list of polling locations, visit www.HarrisVotes.org.
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