City pool opens for summertime fun

By Adam Hammer, staff writer

Splish. Yay! Splash. Whee!The Albert Lea Aquatic Center is open for the summer.

The city’s water park opened its doors for the season Monday to many eager and excited patrons. Many of them were children looking for ways to pass the time now that school’s out for summer.

&8220;My favorite part is the water slide,&8221; Cody Wichmann said. &8220;I like it because you go fast and splash big.&8221;

Ryan Broitzman, who was at the pool with Wichmann, said his favorite part was also the water slide.

The two intend to come every day this summer and take breaks from being at the pool only when necessary &045; for soccer practice, sleeping and so forth.

Although most of the adults at the pool were accompanying children, there were some who were just there to hang out and cool off.

&8220;Today’s my day without the grandkids,&8221; Michelle Thomas said. &8220;My grandkids think my backyard is the swimming pool.&8221;

Thomas lives across the street from the water park and often takes her family to there when they are visiting.

Thomas and Carolyn Sabinish, who were sunbathing by the pool, said they enjoy kicking back and relaxing and also enjoy getting into the water to cool down.

The pool ranges in depth from 3 1/2 feet to 13 feet and has two 1-meter diving boards.

For young children, the center features a zero-depth splash pool with with interactive play features including tumble buckets, deck sprays, a mushroom waterfall, bubblers and a five-arm water fountain.

The waterslide measures in at a 226-foot ride that sends patrons winding and curving around, picking up speed before splashing into the pool.

The Aquatic Center is at 321 James Ave. and is open daily from noon to 7 p.m. until the end of August and possibly longer, depending on the weather.

Admission is free to children 2 and younger and $3 for everyone else. The water park also offers admission packages and group rates.

For more information about the pool, visit www.city.albertlea.org/pool.htm.

(Contact Adam Hammer at adam.hammer@albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)