NEWS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | May 25, 2011
Media Contact: Jennifer McGilvray, Public Information Officer, Indy Parks & Recreation
Email: jennifer.mcgilvray@indy.gov | Office: (317) 327-7035 | Cell: (317) 442-7578
TAKE A DIP INTO AN INDY PARKS POOL THIS SUMMER
Pools open Saturday, May 28; Free Make a Splash program teaches water safety
INDIANAPOLIS – (May 25, 2011) Grab your towel and sunscreen and head to an Indy Parks pool this summer. Indy Parks’ outdoor pools will open May 28 to August 7. In the past two years, Indy Parks has invested $6.5 million to repair leaking pipes, update infrastructure and add amenities, giving park patrons a fun and sustainable summertime activity.
“Our aquatic centers provide fun, quality amenities for our neighborhoods and offer a great way to stay cool in the hot summer months," said Mayor Ballard. "Thanks to our sustainable investment in the pools, no longer will millions of gallons of chlorinated water leak into the surrounding park grounds. I invite everyone to revisit a pool this summer and take advantage of our city’s incredible resources.”
Indy Parks operates 15 outdoor pools, five indoor pools and Eagle Creek Beach. In 2008 the pools leaked nearly 35 million gallons of water from corroded pipes. The systems have been repaired and renovations to improve park patrons’ experiences and transform the aquatics facilities are on track. New amenities include shade structures, climbing walls and deck furniture, plus an overall “facelift” with newly painted slide structures, updated bathhouse facilities and additional installations of spray features. These investments were made possible by capital improvement dollars, the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, the Lilly Endowment Inc., and new public-private partnerships. Some of the highlights include:
- New pool and speed slide at Bethel Park Aquatic Center
- A new spray feature at Riverside Aquatic Center
- New Wes Montgomery Spray Park
- ADA chairs at all aquatic centers
- A three-story tube slide at Sahm Park Aquatic Center
- New spray ground at Gustafson Park Pool
- Fully updated beach house at Eagle Creek Beach
- Plunge Harbor slide and aquatic obstacle course at Eagle Creek Beach
“We are excited to open the outdoor pools this weekend and celebrate the amazing sustainable changes to our aquatics system. We understand and appreciate the valuable resource a pool provides to the community and we want our visitors to have an active, healthy and safe summer,” said Indy Parks Director Stuart Lowry
This year Indy Parks will offer a new water safety class called Make A Splash to youth ages 6 and older, May 31 – June 3 (children under the age of nine must be accompanied by an adult). This free program is available at every aquatic center 45 minutes prior to opening. Youth will learn fundamental skills to ensure a fun and safe summer and all participants will have their admission fee waived at the pool that day. The Kickoff event is Tuesday May 31 at 11 a.m. at Brookside Park Pool.
Indy Parks also offers swimming lessons for all ages with a newly improved curriculum, lifeguard training programs and swim teams. Indy Parks’ lifeguards have received the highest achievement, a five-star safety rating, from the Starfish Aquatic Institute.
For more information about pool schedules, fees, events and our 15 spray grounds, please visit www.indyparks.org, call 327-PARK or pick up a Summer Fun Guide.
*Pools may not open if air temperature is at least 68° F or lower. Patrons are encouraged to call their local facility directly to confirm hours of operation.