MAKING A SPLASH : POOLS FLOODED BY SIMI FAMILIES ON OPENING DAY.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

Following a 10-month hiatus, public swimming pools in Simi Valley reopened to the public Wednesday, filling swiftly with laughing children and adults taking a break from the June heat.

At Sequoia Park Pool, a new covered water slide was a big hit among the kids, who formed a long line to use it, watching as their friends slid down the chute and splashed into the water.

``I like the new slide,'' said Alex Hultgren, 10. ``It feels weird when you come out and hit the water. It's a little scary going down, but that's what makes it fun.''

And fun is what officials with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District - which operates the pools at Sequoia Park, 2150 Tracy Ave., and Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave. - have in mind.

``Come on out and cool off for the summer,'' said Diana Riley, supervisor of recreation.

Starting next week, the Sequoia pool will open for night swimming from 7 to 8:30 Mondays and Wednesdays. Recreational swimming also will be available from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rancho Simi Pool on Monday through Thursday. The water is heated to between 78 and 82 degrees.

Riley said the park district is especially excited about the installation of the $5,000 water slide at Sequoia Pool.

``We replaced our diving board, which was antiquated,'' she said. ``We couldn't replace its parts because it was too old, so we decided to put in the water slide because we thought it would be a lot of fun for the kids.''

Based on first-day impressions, the slide was a huge hit, said Sequoia pool manager Josh Schneider.

``The kids are really excited,'' he said. ``It's something new to make the pool better. I've never seen a crowd like this on the first day. Everyone is happy.''

And it wasn't just children who were excited at the opening of the public pools.

Cheryl Carlson, who cooled off at Sequoia Pool along with her son, Chris, 10, and daughter, Melissa, 6, said her family looked forward to opening day, and noted it could not have come at a better time because of the end of schools and the heat wave.

``The water feels cool and considering the heat, it's very refreshing,'' the Simi Valley resident said. ``It's nice to cool off and meet people.''

If past years' attendance is any indication, finding visitors to the pools will not be any problem this summer.

Last year, Riley said, 32,541 people attended the pools, which was up from 28,904 in 1994. An average of 188 people visited the pools each day last year, up from 178 in 1994, she said.

The Sequoia Pool will close Aug. 23, and Rancho Simi Pool will close Aug. 30.

POOL HOURS The Sequoia Pool is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the Rancho Simi Pool is open daily, also from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $1.75 per person, $1.50 for senior citizens age 55 and older. Sequoia Pool is located at 2150 Tracy Ave., and Rancho Simi Pool is located on 1765 Royal Ave. For more information, call the park district at 584-4400.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--color) A child splashes into relief from the heat courtesy of the new water slide at Sequoia Park Pool. Simi Valley pools opened Wednesday.

(2) Kelly Rochetto, 4, shivers in line for the slide at Sequoia Park Pool.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News

Box: POOL HOURS (see text)