Great Bend’s Wetland’s Aquatic Center opened Saturday, making a splash as usual.
“Everything is up and working,” said Aquatic Director Paige Achatz.
Weather permitting, the pool is open from 12:30-5:30 p.m. daily. Starting next week, on June 4, the pool will also be open for family nights from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Achatz noted there will be no family nights this week because it is still a little too cold, and because she is finishing the training of a couple of lifeguards.
The water slides and other features remain unchanged from last year, and include a Water Wars area for launching water balloons (available for purchase), zero-depth entry, spray features and floatables that separate the deep end from the shallow end, a climbing wall and a 300 gallon tipping bucket for those who dare to stand below it — or those just too hot to care. For those taking a break in the shaded areas, there are some new brightly colored umbrellas.
The pool has dozens of summer employees, including 33 lifeguards and nine concession workers. Achatz, returning for her fifth summer as aquatic director, became a lifeguard when she was 16 years old.
The pool is located in Brit Spaugh Park at 2303 Main, next to the Brit Spaugh Zoo. For more information call 620-792-1516