Children take aim at a poolside sunbather at the summer opening of the Kelley Hill Pool Thursday as part of Sledgehammer Week. The 2012 Fort Benning pool season started a day early for Sledgehammer Soldiers who are preparing for an upcoming deploymen...

FORT BENNING, Ga. (May 30, 2012) -- As Sledgehammer Week came to a conclusion, Soldiers, Families and friends of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team beat the heat when the Kelley Hill Pool opened its gates Thursday.

"With the upcoming deployment and the Memorial Day weekend combined with Hammer Week, we wanted to let the Soldiers on Kelley Hill enjoy the water a little early," said Vivian Pedrozo, Fort Benning's aquatics director.

More than 1,000 people entered the gates at the Kelley Hill Pool during the weekend.

With two diving boards, a rock-climbing wall over water, a sectioned-off lap area and plenty of space to play and wade in the water, there is something for every guest to enjoy, she said.

The pool is open to all military ID cardholders during the weekends from noon until 8 p.m. and weekdays from 5:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The Kelley Hill Pool is reserved for military training Thursdays from 1 until 8 p.m.

For more information concerning Kelley Hill pool's hours or services, call Pedrozo at 706-604-0981.