By JOE LoTEMPLIO
PLATTSBURGH — As warmer weather rolls in, city officials are getting ready for the opening of beach season.
The City Beach officially pulls open the gates on Wednesday, June 24, which is St. Jean the Baptiste Day in Canada.
"We will have a soft opening on the 24th, a Canadian holiday, which will give us a few days to work out any kinks before the first big weekend," City Recreation Director Steve Peters said.
The beach will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Peters said he hopes the season can last until Labor Day, Sept. 7.
"How late we stay open will depend on weather and staffing," Peters said. "But we are hoping to go through Labor Day."
City residents can get into the beach for free and may obtain their beach passes by showing identification at the beach gate.
Town of Plattsburgh residents also can get free passes, but they must do that at the Town Clerk's Office at the Town Hall on Banker Road.
Other visitors will pay $6 per car load, or $7 in Canadian funds.
The swimming area this year will feature three sections staffed by seven lifeguards, including a guard in a kayak beyond the swimming area.
Food and beverage vendors are signed up for this summer, and Peters said the city is still talking to some other vendors about providing beach activities.
The city is working with students at Plattsburgh State on a marketing campaign for the beach this year.
The campaign is aimed at bringing more local and regional people to the beach.
"The Canadians just seem to know about it, and they show up," Peters said. "We want to get the word out more to locals about what a fantastic beach this is."
In recent days, as the weather turned warmer, many people have been venturing to the beach even though it is closed.
Peters said that while people can go to the beach to use the sand and picnic areas, swimming is prohibited until the beach is officially opened next week.
Recreation Department and City Police will patrol the beach regularly until it opens to make sure people are not swimming.
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
