Residents Steam After Revenue Problem Leaves Some Englewood Swimmers High And Dry

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey pool has been closed to kids during the hottest stretch of the summer, and parents want to know why.

As CBS2's Jessica Schneider reported, the city said it had no choice but to close the Tryon Pool for three days a week.

With the sun blazing, and the temperature sweltering, the pool has been empty.

"On a hot day like today, not a child in the pool," Jeanna Hopewell said.

It costs $100 for the summer for people to access the Tryon Avenue Pool, but it's locked up, closed to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

"I think it should be open like 7 days really, because my grandkids enjoy going there," Linda Cheek said.

The city slashed the pool's hours last summer after revenue from the two pools city-wide amounted to just $20,000. The city lost $150,000 operating the pools.

Mackay Park Pool is about a third of a mile away, but can get crowded amid the soaring temperatures.

City officials justified closing the pool three days a week by pointing to the relatively low attendance.

Tryon Pool has seen 298 visitors this summer while Mackay has had 822. The city rents out the pool to a swim club for three days out of the week and the YMCA uses it for swim lessons.

People who live close to the pool said it should be used for the local kids instead.

"Other children come over here from neighboring towns and buses to enjoy our pool and our kids can't go? That's ridiculous," Hopewell said.

People are now rallying together to convince the city council to leave room in the budget to get the pool open and full throughout the week next summer.

The $100 pass is for a family of four and can be used at both of the city's pools.