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The temperatures are starting to heat up and we’ll be in the triple digits before you know it. Most likely before Memorial Day.
That’s why many Florence residents – especially the kids – are starting to get excited about cooling down. On Memorial Day weekend, the town officially opens the Florence Aquatic Center.
The center features:
Competition/lap pool
Two 1-meter diving boards
Two water slides
Family play pool, with zero-depth entry
Toddler slides
Shaded areas
Family dressing room
Training classroom
The aquatic center opens Saturday, May 28. Alicia Marrufo, who is overseeing the Florence Aquatic Center this summer, has more information on the attraction.
When was it built? The Aquatic Center was built in 2015.
How much did the center cost to build? The cost to build the Aquatic Center was about $5 million.
Does the center do anything special for school kids? Yes! We work with the Florence Unified School District to host end-of-the-year parties at the center.
Physically what goes into getting the facility open to the public, i.e., cleaning, repairs, etc.? We begin prepping for the Aquatic Center for the season in January, from cleaning to repairs, program scheduling, program advertising, staff recruitment and staff training. There are a lot of details that go into opening the Aquatic Center for the summer season.
Do you have to do much marketing to remind people the center is open or is it a well-known Memorial Day tradition? We do market our opening date but as the temperatures start to rise early here is Arizona, we have had people calling April 1 to see if we are open.
How much does it cost to use the aquatic center?
Per day pricing: Free for ages 0-6 months; $2 for ages 7 months to 17; and $4 for adults 18 and older.
A 30-day pool pass: Free for ages 0-6 months; $30 for ages 7 months to 17; and $60 for adults 18 and older
A Family Season Pass for two adults and two kids is $160.
Have any changes and improvements been made since last season?
We have performed cosmetic repairs to update the items the sun tends to damage over the years. In early March, we completed the gel coating of the slides and play apparatus and repaired the slides and play features that were beginning to fade due to the sun.
Does the city offer free events before the big July 4th bash?
Our opening day Saturday, May 28, is our Summer Safety and Family resource day. This day will kick off the opening of the Florence Aquatic Center for the 2022 season. Entry is free for the day and families are encouraged to attend and register for aquatic programs being offered for the season.
We also host our Freedom Fest Swim and Back to School Supply Drive on July 4. There will be open swimming, music and games throughout the day. This is a free event, but with a limited capacity, so participants will need to make sure they come early. We are asking the public to bring gently used backpacks and school supplies to enter the center. Supplies will be donated to the Florence School District.
