With the early heat this summer, it seems many people are looking for ways to cool down.

How about a pool in your own back yard?

It used to be that backyard pools were limited only to residents of warmer climates such as California or Arizona. But the new portable above-ground pool systems now on the market make it possible for almost anyone, in any climate, to enjoy a backyard pool.

Quick set-up pools have been popular at ShopKo in Rapid City.

"Our customers really seem to like them," said Matt Cornelisen, sales floor supervisor at ShopKo.

The store has baby pools all the way up to those 15 feet in diameter.

Intex manufactures Easy Set above-ground pools that are ready for water in 10 minutes. Pools can come with filter pumps, ground cloths, pool covers and ladders depending on the package purchased. Pool maintenance videos are also included in most packages.

They can be put up in early summer and taken down in the fall.

Janette Kruse said she brought a quick set-up pool three years ago on clearance at the end of the summer, and it has been a great addition to their backyard.

"We try not to use our air conditioning a lot so on those 100-degree days it's great to jump in and cool down," she said.

Kruse said their pool is 10 feet in diameter and 3-feet deep, perfect for her daughter, Kiani, 10, and Calvin, 6.

Weather permitting, the family uses the pool almost daily, Kruse said.

It takes about a half day to fill the pool at the start of the summer season and a little extra time to clean it up in the fall before rolling it and placing it in a Rubber Maid storage container for winter.

The Donahue family on West Chicago Street in Rapid City has had their portable pool for seven years.

The first two years, the Donahues placed the pool on a dirt area in their back yard, but have since had a cement pad laid for the pool.

"Each year, we put a berm of sand around the perimeter to stabilize the pool and soften the bottom," Judy Donahue said.

It's a great place for the Donahues' teenage son and his friends to hang out, she said.

"We use it at least five days a week," she said. "It's so refreshing. On the hot days over the weekend, that was our saving grace."

Keeping the pool clean isn't as bad as Donahue first thought.

"We get bugs in there, but we really have to protect it from the dog getting in," she said.

Her advice is to keep up on maintaining the correct chemical balance of the water, because once you fall behind, it's hard to catch up again, she said.

Jane and Craig Pfeilfe inherited an in-ground pool when they bought their home on Berry Pine Road in 1998.

Pfeifle says one of the toughest chores associated with the pool is painting it every couple years.

"First you have to get all the stuff off the side walls, then paint it and wait for it to cure for a week," she said.

But that's not the end of the waiting for the Pfeifle kids, Tommy, 10, Daniel, 14, and Annie, 16.

"It takes about a week to fill," Jane Pfeifle said of the 22,000-gallon pool.

Another daily chore is maintaining the chemical balance of the pool.

Annie Pfeifle has stepped up to help with pool maintenance.

"I don't really like the cleaning part or the vacuuming," she said.

Despite the cleaning chores ,Annie still enjoys having a backyard pool.

"It's really nice and convenient. When you want to go swimming you don't have to pack up your towel and go across town. All you have to do is step outside," she said.

Rapid City's zoning ordinance concerning swimming pools

A private swimming pool shall be any pool or open tank not located within a completely enclosed building, and containing or normally capable of containing water to a depth at any point greater than 1-1/2 feet.

Private swimming pools are permitted in any residential district provided:

- The pool is intended and is to be used solely for the enjoyment of the occupants of the property on which it is located and their guests;

- No swimming pool or part thereof, excluding aprons, walks and equipment rooms, shall protrude into any required front or side yard;

- The swimming pool area shall be so walled or fenced so as to prevent uncontrolled access by children from the street or from adjacent properties. The fence or wall shall be not less than 5 feet in height and maintained in good condition.