Valley Aquatic Center makes a splash

Completed just in time to relieve the scorching heat is Yuma's newest pool facility, the Valley Aquatic Center.

The center is a water park with two pools and surrounding amenities that enhance outdoor summer fun, said Debbie Wendt, Yuma Parks and Recreation Department recreation superintendent.

The project is the culmination of a collaborative effort between Parks and Recreation Department and the Yuma Union High School District over the last three years.

"There's been a major demand for a pool in the (west) end of town and it's been a wonderful partnership between us and the school district," Wendt said Thursday as she gave a tour of the facility. "Each party wanted to make sure that things they needed happened for both."

And those features for the city included a leisure pool, with dumping buckets (elevated containers showering swimmers), slides, an aqua playground built into the pool and splash pad. Also part of the center are classrooms comprising the Aquatic Center shade structures and grass areas, offering "a real cooling shelter from direct sunlight," Wendt said.

For the high schools, all of which will have access to the facility, there is a 13-lane competition pool that also has a three-meter diving board and two one-meter boards, along with a shaded spectator area and bleachers.

The 7-acre complex cost $8.8 million and required 18 months to build. It will be open to the public on July 2. But on July 1, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. the public is welcome to attend an exclusive pre-opening pool party, Wendt noted.

Only 300 tickets will be sold. Tickets cost $20 each. They can be purchased at the City Hall Parks and Recreation Department, Yuma Arts Center, Yuma Civic Center, or online at www.yumaaz.gov. The deadline is June 25.

A unique feature to the center is that it incorporates artwork created by the high school students who designed mosaic tile swirls around the deck of the pool, Wendt noted.

"We also have waves of mosaic tile in the entry way of the aquatic center which make this facility ever more beautiful."

This pool, near Cibola High School at 4381 W. 18th St., will be available for physical education classes, pool parties and special events. The public will also be able to reserve space for parties through the reservation and rental process at the Parks and Recreation Department.

This year the pool opens July 2 but beginning next year, opening day starts Memorial Day weekend and concludes Labor Day weekend. The pool will operate seven days a week between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. until the school year starts. It will then be open on evenings and weekends through Sept. Admission will cost $2 a day for youth, 17 years old and under and $3.50 for adults. Monthly and seasonal passes will be available.

"This is something that's been desired for a long time and YUHSD and the city made it happen with the support of the Yuma community," Wendt said.

NOTE: Story edited at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.