Oasis Aquatic Center lives up to its name year-round Published Nov. 3, 2011 By Cari Smith Staff Writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The crisp scent of chlorine and the sound of children's laughter float through the air while cool water refreshes bodies cutting through its depths. These may sound like a taste of summer, but the Oasis Aquatic Center provides this year-round through its indoor pool. The Oasis Aquatic Center is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lap swimming, and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for recreational swimming. Joshua Soldan, director, Edwards Outdoor Recreation, describes the pool as a free place to go and work out. There are many classes available from kayak roll class, to group and private swimming lessons. ODR hosts birthday parties and private functions at the pool as well. The pool equipment is free for use by visitors. Soldan suggests, "If you need boards, fins, or water aerobic tools, feel free to talk to one of the lifeguards to get a little instruction. They'll be more than happy to help you out." For those looking for underwater adventure, Outdoor Recreation offers a scuba certification course. A contracted instructor teaches students to use scuba gear in the Oasis Aquatic Center pool, before going out on an open water dive. Because there are several lakes and such easy access to the ocean here in Southern California, kayaking is a popular activity with many Edwards residents. ODR offers kayak roll classes, where instructors use the Oasis Aquatic Center pool to teach students how to right a kayak after it rolls over. Outdoor Recreation also has kayaks for rent allowing those new to the sport an opportunity to save money while they have fun in the water. Next to the Oasis Aquatic Center is a climbing wall also run by ODR. Soldan recommends taking the rock climbing wall certification class so people can have a dual workout at the center. "You can climb (the rock wall) then hop in the pool to cool off afterwards," said Soldan. The Oasis Aquatic Center is not the only pool available on base, though. There are two outdoor pools that are open only from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. The Sonic Splash Pool, located by the Edwards Youth Center, features a 35-foot slide and many of the same programs and services the Oasis Aquatic Center offers, including swimming lessons and parties. The Muroc Pool is the other outdoor pool and is located next to Club Muroc. There, Outdoor Recreation teams up with Club Muroc's Steak Fridays to provide Splash Fridays, "where you can come with your family, eat some food, and play in the pool," Soldan said. "In the past, we've done Floatation Fridays, where you can bring floatation devices and toys to throw in the pool." The Muroc and Splash pools have nominal entrance fees of $2 per day but season passes are available with both individual and family rates. All three pools have many options for recreational activity and entertainment. And the pools are open to suggestions. "If you come to us with an idea, we're more than happy to help you out with it,"Soldan said, For more information on the Oasis Aquatic Center call 275-7946 or 275-2267. A complete listing of services can be found at the 95th Force Support Squadron website at www.95FSS.com.