Recreational consulting firm Ballard*King Associates, Ltd. prepared for the town council a look at swimming places near and a bit far from Brunswick.

It’s part of the work done to inform councilors about a proposed community or public outdoor pool.

In its market analysis for Brunswick, outdoor swimming areas are mostly natural bodies of water, not pools or splash pads. Of the few public out- door swimming areas for residents, one of the best for young children because of its shallow entry is Coffin Pond.

Coffin Pond is owned and operated by the town. “It is a hybrid facility since it does not have a formal, finished tank but does have chlorinated water, sand bottom, and zero depth entry,” the report states. The pond has small slide, older bath house and small concession area.

Other outdoor swimming places are in the Brunswick region, some closer to town than others.

These include: Winslow Park in Freeport; Kennedy Park in Lewiston, with a pool and splash pad; Almond Municipal Pool in Waterville; Kiwanis Pool, near the Portland Jetport.

Indoor pools in the Brunswick region are available, most with a membership fee.

Bath Family YMCA, close to Brunswick, features lap lanes, a warm water teaching/ therapy pool and an on-deck whirlpool. Casco Bay YMCA in Freeport offers two pools.

The Paulson and the Frank pools in Portland are part of larger recreation centers.

Bowdoin College’s indoor swimming and diving is “not really open to the public,” per the facility report.

Private water fun options are available at a cost to users. The consultants’ report cites Thomas Beach, just outside of Brunswick. The swimming beach is part of a large campground.

lconnell@timesrecord.com