The city of Wichita plans to reopen most of its pools and splash pads on Memorial Day Weekend.
Both were shut down last year due to the pandemic.
“Cannot wait until we’re actually open this summer and to see kids in here playing having fun,” Brian Hill, aquatics manager for the city, said during a news conference in front of Evergreen Park's new splash pad.
“Families coming together to enjoy one of these great amenities around town.”
In 2019, the Wichita City Council approved the Aquatics Master Plan. It cost more than $20 million to complete the project.
The city is renovating McAdams, College Hill, Aley, Harvest, Minisa and Orchard pools. Splash pads were installed at Harrison and Planeview, and they replaced pools at Boston, Linwood, Edgemoor and Evergreen parks.
The Linwood Park splash pad will not open Memorial Day Weekend due to construction. It will open later this summer.
All other facilities will open Saturday, May 29.
With pools and splash pads closed last summer, more time was devoted to the renovation and construction of the facilities.
“We are extremely excited about starting up our aquatics program this summer,” Mayor Brandon Whipple said. “Particularly after having to stop our aquatics and our pools last summer due to COVID.”
As the reopening approaches, the city is looking to hire lifeguards for the summer, as well as swim instructors, pool managers and splash pad operators.
