Russell Sims Aquatic Center, Beech Bend, Charles T. Black pools get going Saturday

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Once again, its time for the sun to steam up southcentral Kentuckians while area swimming pools and water attractions cool them down.

The Russell Sims Aquatic Center on Tomblinson Way in Bowling Green will open for the season Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

We have the two water slides and the spray playground, where we put in two or three new attractions at the end of last summer, said Karen Singleton, assistant director of the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department, which runs the Aquatic Center.

Last year, the center drew about 67,000 people. It opened six years ago.

Its been very successful and a wonderful aquatic facility for our citizens and guests from the surrounding counties, Singleton said.

Refreshments are sold and lifeguards with American Red Cross Lifeguard training are always on duty.

People of all ages, from babies all the way to senior citizens, enjoy the attraction, Singleton said.

The center will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every Monday through Saturday this summer. Sunday hours are from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The attraction will be closed May 23-25.

Admission is $8 for everyone 18 to 54, $5 for seniors 55 and older, $6 for college students with valid identification, $5 for children 6 to 17, $3 for children 2 to 5 and $1 for babies under 2.

For more information call 393-3249.

Other cool-water venues:

T.C. Cherry Pool on Liberty Avenue is open year round. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday hours are 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Childrens swim is from noon to 4 p.m. daily. The pool is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. Admission is free for adults who will not swim but will accompany a child, $2 for children 13 and younger and seniors 50 and older and $3 for adults ages 14 to 49. For more information call 843-5364.

The pool at Beech Bend Raceway Park on Beech Bend Road in Bowling Green will be open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Splash Lagoon water park at Beech Bend will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The pool and Lagoon will only be open on the weekends in May. The pool will open every Monday through Saturday in June and July from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Splash Lagoon will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays in June and July. The schedule will change in August and September. All-day armband admission for Beech Bend Park is $13.50 for those 2 and under and $21 for those 3 and older. It includes admission to the pool, Splash Lagoon, Gold Rush Golf and unlimited rides. Gate admission for Splash Lagoon only is $8 for those 54-inches-tall or taller or $5 for those under 54 inches. For more information call 781-7634.

The Glasgow City Pool off Happy Valley Road in Barren County will open May 27. Weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $3 for those 13 and older and $2 for children 12 and under. For more information, call (270) 651-9296.

The beach at Barren River Lake State Park at Lucas in Barren County will open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day from May 28 through the first of August. It will likely be open only on weekends after that. There is no admission fee and no lifeguard at the beach. For more information, call (800) 325-0057.

The Charles T. Black City Park Pool on Helm Lane in Morgantown will open Saturday. The pool will be open daily throughout the summer from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $1 for children and $2 for everyone 18 and over. For more information, call (270) 526-3557.

The Franklin-Simpson pool on South College Street in Franklin will tentatively open sometime Memorial Day weekend. For more information call (270) 586-8999.

 Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700