Jayson Sylva, 10, Ozawkie, cools down in a spray of water Saturday at Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky. He was among the first people in the pool.

Can openers, front flips, cannonballs and dives — all those were good enough reasons for 10-year-old Jayson Sylva to be among the first to take advantage of the opening day of Lawrence’s public outdoor swimming pool.

“For one, it’s hot. And the pool is always fun. And I like going off the diving board,” Jayson said.

Jayson wasn’t the only one to spend opening day at Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky., cooling off during an afternoon where temperatures reached into the upper 80s.

“Gorgeous” is how aquatics supervisor Lori Madaus described conditions.

“It has been awhile since we have had this nice of an opening day,” she said. “It’s usually kind of cold, overcast and rainy.”

Getting the pool ready for opening day required 580,000 gallons of water and training a staff of lifeguards, cashiers and concessionaires.

“It takes a lot of hard work,” Madaus said.

That hard work provided plenty of fun Saturday afternoon.

A trio of 12-year-old girls, Shanieka Williams, Alexxus Bowman and Onna Phythyon, listed three reasons for coming to the pool: friends, swimming and “looking at the guys.”

Saturday was only the first of many days they plan to spend at the pool.

The same is true for Patsy Anderson and her two granddaughters, Jessica, 6, and Amber Billings, 7. Anderson said they spend frequent afternoons at the pool following the girls’ swimming lessons.

“I think it is a good atmosphere for children. They meet other children, learn discipline, learn to swim and listen to instructors,” Anderson said. “And I get to meet other older women and mothers of the children.”

The outdoor pool will be open until Labor Day weekend. Hours are from 1 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. seven days a week.