By WMBD-TV
BLOOMINGTON – After both the COVID-19 pandemic and a revitalization project, it’s been about four years since the O’Neil Aquatics Center in Bloomington has been open to the public. That will change on May 25.
Among the new features are a leisure pool and a lap pool. There is also a lazy river and a 30-foot-tall twisting water slide.
James Wayne is the Superintendent of Recreation at Bloomington Parks and Recreation and described the new facility as a “regional attraction.”
“Who doesn’t love going outside and spending time in the water and the sun during the summer? I’m really excited about Bloomington residents and community members throughout the area being able to come and experience this wonderful facility,” he said.
Season passes are available at a discounted rate until Friday, at the price of $70 instead of $75. That can be used to enter both the O’Neil Aquatics Center and Holiday Pool in Holiday Park. Senior citizens and military members can enter at a discounted rate.
Wayne said the pool is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. The pool closes Sep. 2.
With the reopening of the center, the Dolphins Swim team also will be back as a result. The team also took a few years off along with the aquatics center.
The team competes against other teams in Bloomington-Normal in the Twin City Swim Conference. The Dolphins will utilize the new lap pool as their home base.
It is open for boys and girls from the ages of 5-18 and includes those of all swim experience levels.
Head Coach Robby Pratt said recreational swimming leagues are very beneficial to young people.
“It teaches people how to swim which is very important, but it also teaches people how to be on a team, how to compete. Then it turns into a sport that maybe they can do in high school or compete later in life or become a master swimmer,” he said.
He added that there will be a parent meeting on Thursday that will answer questions that people may have. He said additional information can be found on the city’s parks and recreation website.
Pratt said the team’s first swim meet is scheduled for June 11 against the LeRoy Replex Rockets.