Avondale Aquatic Center 11275 Civic Center Drive, Avondale 623-333-2405 It’s been two years since city officials broke ground on Avondale’s first community pool, but the wait was worth it. On Memorial Day weekend, the Valley’s newest water park opened. Designed by Gabor Lorant Architects, the same firm that designed Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center in Chandler, this massive state-of- the-art facility offers a plethora of amenities for all ages. The littlest family members will enjoy the zero-depth-entry kiddie play pool, complete with a play structure with slides, water sprays and a tumble bucket, while older kids and kids at heart will thrill to a trio of 26-foot-tall slides — two looping tube slides and one rapid plunge drop slide. A 350-foot lazy river winds between the two areas and connects to a water walk, while a 10-lane competition pool with two diving boards dominates the north side of the complex. And the amenities don’t stop when you’re on dry land. There are expan- sive locker and shower rooms, two outdoor snack areas as well as food truck bays and more than 13,000 square feet of shaded decking with dozens of lounge chairs. Currently, the center is open only to Avondale residents (and their guests), who must show proof of residency for entrance. Open swim hours: Monday, Wednesday 12:30 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Friday 12:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturday 12:30 to 7 p.m. Adult lap swim hours: Weekdays 5:30-7:30 a.m.; weekends 7-9 a.m. Fee: $3 residents; $5 non-resident guests Clark Park Swimming Pool 1730 S. Roosevelt St., Tempe 480-350-5203 After being closed for more than 15 years, the Clark Park Community Center and swimming pool reopened after a reno- vation. It may not be the biggest community pool or have the most amenities, but it’s a welcome addition to the Clark Park neighborhood. The outdoor heated pool features a zero-depth entry, five lap lanes and a 17-foot spiral water slide. Shade structures surround the pool, providing respite from the sun’s brutal rays. Currently, there are no swim classes or additional activities offered. Open swim hours: Monday, Wednesday 8:30-11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 1-5 p.m. Lap swim hours: Monday, Wednesday 9:30- 11:30 a.m. Fee: $1.25 adults, $0.75 kids ages 2-12 years Cortez Pool 3434 W. Dunlap Ave. 602-262-7107 When it’s too hot to stand in line at nearby Castles-n-Coasters, the swim facility in Cortez Park is the perfect spot for family fun. Three pools cater to all ages and skill levels. There’s a zero-depth-entry kiddie pool with spray features and mini slides, an eight-lane lap pool with a diving well and diving boards, and a play pool with two large twisty slides. Drinking fountains are available, but you’ll want to bring your own snacks as well as your own lounge chairs. Swimming lessons and junior lifeguard training also are offered. Open swim hours: Monday through Thursday 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Fee: $3 adults; $1 kids and seniors Eldorado Aquatic & Fitness Center 2301 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale 480-312-2484 While it may not be as large as McDowell Mountain Ranch, this aquatic center offers much-needed summer relief to folks in and around Old Town. Like its counterpart to the north, it features a 13-lane, 25-yard lap pool with four diving boards, a zero-depth entry play pool with a water playground and twisting slides. Locker rooms, showers and a snack bar can be found inside the fitness center. And it also offers swim and dive lessons, water aerobics and tai chi, junior lifeguard programs, and recreational swim and dive teams. The aquatic center is located on the northern half of Eldorado Park, one of the biggest municipal parks in Scottsdale with 60 acres of green space, as well as softball and soccer fields playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, a skate park and a lake for fishing. Open swim hours: Monday through Thursday 1-5 p.m.; Friday through Sunday 1-5:30 p.m. Lap swim hours: Monday through Friday 6-8 a.m. and 12-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1-5:30 p.m. Resident fee: $4 adults; $3 children Non-resident fee: $6 adults; $4 children Foothills Recreation & Aquatic Center 5600 W. Union Hills Drive, Glendale 623-930-4600 One of two public aquatic centers in Glendale, Foothills is more than a pool. Come for the water park but stay for the indoor fitness center and walking/running track, basketball and pickleball courts, climbing wall, judo, children’s activities room, arcade and concessions. The center also is located just minutes from Foothills Park and Foothills Library, so families can spend an affordable fun-filled day in this northwest corner of the Valley. The outdoor water park offers multiple pools, including a heated six-lane lap pool with a diving well and two diving boards, a zero- depth entry play pool with spray features and jungle gym, a lazy river and two giant slides. Year-round swimming and fitness classes are offered, as are lifeguard and instructor certification programs. Open swim hours: Tuesday through Saturday 1 to 5 p.m. Resident fee: $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2.50 kids Non-resident fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3.50 kids McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic & Fitness Center 15525 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale 480-312-6677 Last year, we named this facility as the Best Public Pool in our Best of Phoenix issue — and for good reason. Located in the shadows of its eponymous mountain range, minutes from the Loop 101 and across Thompson Peak Parkway from WestWorld of Scottsdale, this year-round aquatic center is a watery oasis. Three pools — a 13-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a large play pool with a zero-depth entry and a lazy river — offer enough space for the crowds that flock here from across the Valley. Adding to the fun are four diving boards — two 1-meter and two 3-meter — a large water slide, a spray pad and waterfall features. There’s plenty of seating, including lounge chairs, cushioned patio chairs and grassy sections. Locker rooms, showers and concessions are available in the fitness center. Swim and dive lessons, water aerobics and junior lifeguard training also are offered. Open swim hours: Monday through Thursday 1 to 5 p.m.; Friday through Sunday 1 to 5:30 p.m. Lap swim hours: Monday through Friday 6 to 8 a.m. and noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5:30 p.m. Resident fee: $7 adults; $5 children Foothills Recreation & Aquatic Center (Photo courtesy of Glendale Parks & Recreation) Surprise Aquatic Center(Photo courtesy of Courtesy of Surprise Parks & Recreation) Get in the Swim from p 13
