Cool, stormy weather dips suburban pool attendance

MUNDELEIN, Ill. (WLS) -- The cool, stormy weather in the Chicago area is taking a financial toll on area swimming pools and aquatic centers; it's almost July, but the weather is keeping swimmers away.

Ticket sales at Mundelein's Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center are down by about 50 percent.

"We may have to look at some point to see if we have shorter hours but right now we're not in that situation," said Margaret Resnick, Mundelein Park and Recreation District.

Season pass sales have taken a dive and concession stands are feeling the pain too, but parks officials are hoping for a hot July and August to make up for it and prevent any budget cuts.

"We made up for it last year, like the last couple months we were open until September and we made up for it," said Sue Poletto, Barefoot Bay Concessions director.

In Oak Park at the Ridgeland Common Pool, dark clouds hang overhead as ticket sales are down by 20 percent.

"It's been a challenge especially since it's been so inconsistent and so unpredictable, so we had to close the pool a lot more than we normally do," said Mike Lushniak, Oak Park Ridgeland Common Pool.

But summer camps are keeping the pool full of swimmers, along with a few moms like Jennifer Bonhard, who are determined to get out despite the weather.

"It's important to be outside as much as we can so we're at the pool and the parks, the weather it has been a challenge the last couple weeks," Bonhard said.