Does your local gym have a swimming pool that you can use? I know most do, but the questions really are. Is it ever open for the public? Can you swim laps in it? I recently went to a gym, that the answers were always NO. Very annoying for those that enjoy swimming laps!

yea, usually most gyms require you to have a membership to be able to access their pool area. I know some of the LA fitness gyms in the area have some, along at the local Y.