New aquatic center opens with splash

The highly anticipated Westlake Aquatic Center with the new Peterson Pool had on June 15 its grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the public.

Mayor Dennis M. Clough kicked off the day of celebration at 9:45 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting, according to a news release.

Following the ribboncutting, Westlake residents and those who work in Westlake received free admission to the Aquatic Center for the day, the release said.

Grand opening festivities included:

• Noon, DJ Easy features music and kids games and contests

• Noon to 1:30 p.m., Ice sculpture artist by Elegant Ice Creations

• 1 to 3 p.m., Cinderella & Captain America

• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Caricature artist featuring Roland Napoli

• 2 to 3 p.m., Animal show featuring Jungle Bob

• 2 to 4 p.m., Magic show featuring Bob Durante

“This is a great day for the city of Westlake,” Clough said. “The construction of the new Westlake Aquatic Center has been a city-wide effort for more than a year, and the end result is something our community can be proud of and benefit from for many years to come.”

The Aquatic Center features five bodies of water:

• Peterson Pool, which is a 5,700-square-foot pool, with a traditional diving board and a 10-foot climbing wall which allows guests to fall backwards into the pool, once they climb to the top. This pool features a cove with seats and jets for parents to sit and watch children in the shallow end of the lap pool.

• Slide Plunge Pool, which is 1,200 square feet with two existing 31’ 5” tall speed slides from the previous pool were renovated.

• Lazy River, which is 6,600 square feet. Guests can choose between passive or adventurous paths while floating down the lazy river in a provided inner tube. The adventurous path features various spay canons and a dumping bucket.

• Activity pool, which is a 5,300-square-foot pool ranging from zero to 3 feet allowing children of all ages to use it. A large interactive water feature with multiple levels sits in the center of the pool with two low-slope slides perfect for smaller children. Multiple water effects on and around the structure encourage a total play experience.

• Splash Pad, which is 2,000 square feet. The labyrinth feature highlights the splash pad that allows kids to engage with different life-like stream behaviors as water encounters creeks, flood plains ripples and cascades. The splash pad encourages interactive play by introducing loose objects like boats, duckies or sticks that float downstream.

The Aquatic Center features a pool deck with space for more than 1,000 occupants, which includes multiple permanent shade structures and a pavilion.

Grass space is available for guests to lounge on a towel or blanket.

The Aquatic Center Pool House includes a concession stand, administrative offices and changing/ restrooms (men, women and family), and locker space just outside of the building.

Aquatic Center members can plan a birthday party, have a picnic or bring the youngsters for a swim, the release said.

For more information about Westlake Aquatic Club membership and admission, visit www.cityofwestlake.org/Pool.

SUBMITTED An overhead view of the new Westlake Aquatic Center.