After years of planning, Johnson County residents are beating the heat at the brand new Clarksville Aquatic Center. It's more than just a pool - the aquatic center features two water slides, a lazy river, a climbing wall, water basketball and a play area for the little ones complete with Rubber Duckies floating around.
Mary Townsend, Aquatic Director, said there are two slides for people to choose from. Pool-goers may ride down an enclosed slide on a tube or opt for the open-air body slide.
Townsend says one of the most popular features of the aquatic center is the water basketball. Hope Mize from Clarksville said she can't pull her 9-year-old son Dylan away from the basketball area.
"My son loves the basketball," said Mize. "I know that's where I can find him. He stays right there."
Tom Cogan, Clarksville Parks and Recreation Director, said adults like the lazy river.
"So many of the older people just say, 'That's where I want to stay all day long. I just want to go get in the lazy river and relax," said Cogan.
Cogan said the aquatic center hosts "Family Night" on Monday and Tuesday evenings beginning at 6 p.m. with reduced admission.
The Clarksville Aquatic Center isn't quite complete yet. An indoor pool facility including an eight-lane competitive swimming pool, therapy pool and diving well is still under construction.
Townsend said the pool will be enclosed with a glass roof and glass walls. The roof will be retractable and the walls on three sides will slide open.
"We'll be able to let some of that humidity out as well as open the sides and let some of the air in," she said.
Townsend said the new facility will accommodate the local River Valley swim league as well as the high school swim team. She said they hope to hold swim meets at the indoor facility year round.
Clarksville residents made it all possible when they approved a one cent sales tax to fund the $10 million aquatic center. Vanessa Ostendorf, one of about 35 people employed at the aquatic center, said the new facility adds value to the area.
"The opportunity for the kids to have a clean and safe place to come, because I have three children of my own, is great," said Ostendorf.
The Clarksville Aquatic Center is located at 1611 Oakland Street. It's open Monday through Saturday from 12-6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. Admission is $6 per person (reduced for seniors and infants).
