Swimmers in Austin can hit the pool Monday, but they'll have to deal with a few changes from last year.

Fee increases are the most noticeable changes, but there are also time and program changes that will affect children and adults using the facilities. A tight budget this year in the Parks and Recreation Department is the reason for many of the changes, Director Dennis Maschka said.

The price for season passes are $20, up from the $10 tag last year, and the entrance fee for the afternoon open swim will be a dollar more at $3.

The fee for evening swim remains at $2, but the session will close an hour earlier this year.

"We just didn't have the numbers to pay to have it open," said Tricia Branden, from the Parks and Recreation office.

Hours this summer will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6:15 to 8:15 p.m., and the early closing rule is still in place. That rules states that if there are less than 25 people in the pool area at the top of the hour, the pool will close for the remainder of the session. It will reopen for the next session that evening or the following day.

Parents going to the tot-lot pool with their children are not getting in free this year.

Children under two years old will have no fee, but adults and children over two will have to pay the entrance fee.

"Everyone will enter the same gate now," Branden said. "It won't be separate for the tot lot, and it won't be free."

Previously, anyone in the tot-lot pool got in for no charge.

Also, department officials said the water slide is ready to go, with some new legs put in right before the season. As before, use of the slide will be included with the entrance fee.

There will not be an evening lap swim this summer, but the noon to 1 p.m. lap swim is still in place.

The slot previously for evening lap swim will now be used for additional swimming lessons.

There will be six times for people wishing to take the two-week class. The first four classes of the day will take place every half hour from 10 a.m. until noon. Evening classes are at 5:10 and 5:40. Maschka said people can sign up now at the Parks and Recreation office to reserve a spot for lessons.

Tags are also available at the Parks and Recreation office until Friday, after which they can be bought at the pool.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com