10 cool city pools

Arizonamoms.com
Jun. 27 2008 11:24 am

It's hot. But plenty of cool city pools exist around the Valley. Here are 10 worth checking out.

Surprise Aquatic Center

It has a zero-depth pool with play features, a tunnel slide, a flume slide, a vortex whirlpool and diving boards. Cost: 50 cents for kids; $2 for 18 and older. Non-residents, $5.Hours are 12-8 p.m. Mondays though Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 12-6 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 8. Also open 5-8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, and 12-6 p.m. Sundays from Aug. 11-31 and weekends in September.

McDowell Mountain Ranch Park and Aquatic Center

www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks.asp

The center has four diving boards, a tube slide, a 600-foot lazy river, a beach-entry zero-depth pool and an interactive splash pad. Costs $4 for kid residents and $6 for non-resident kids; adults 18 and older are $6 for resident, $9 for non-resident. Open 1-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 1. Open weekends in September.

Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center

www.glendaleaz.com/ParksandRecreation/

Cruise the lazy river, splash in the aquatic playground or hit two slides." Ages 3-17, $2.50 for resident, $3 for non-resident; adults, $5 for resident, $6 for non-resident. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, 1-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays, 12-6 p.m. Saturdays and 12-4 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 1. Also, 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in August and 12-6 p.m. Sept. 1.

Hamilton Aquatic Center

With a vortex whirlpool, two slides, zero-depth play pool, an interactive splash playground and a current river, this facility is always packed. Kids, 50 cents; adults 18-54, $1.50; seniors, 75 cents. Open Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 12-6 p.m. Sundays through July 27. Open 12-5 p.m. weekends in August and September and Sept. 27-Oct. 5.

Desert Oasis Aquatic Center

The center has a zero-depth play area complete with a kiddie slide, rain drop and spray whale, a 112-foot twisty slide, a drop slide, concessions,shade and a turf area. Kids, 50 cents; adults 18-54, $1.50; seniors, 75 cents. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays; and 12-6 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 10. Post season (Aug. 16-17, 23-24, Aug 30-Sept. 1) hours are 12-5 p.m.

University

phoenix.gov/sports/pools.html

It's old, but it has been remodeled. Now there is a mushroom fountain, dumping buckets and a small slide. Kids are 50 cents; 18 and older are $2. Open 12-8 p.m. daily through Aug. 3.

Buckeye Aquatic Center

It has a twisty slide, two fountain play areas and a zero-depth pool. Cost is $2 per person or $1.50 for groups of 20 or more. Open 1-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 1-6 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 31. Also, 6:45-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Family nights are 6:45-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Carson Aquatic Complex

cityofmesa.org/parksrec/aquatics/

The pool has a twisty tunnel slide and a twisty flume slide, a tumble bucket, a zero-depth pool and shade. Cost is $1.50 for kids; $3 ages 18 and older. Open 1-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 1, and weekends through Aug. 10.

Shepherd Aquatic Complex

1407 N. Alta Mesa Drive

480-644-3037

cityofmesa.org/parksrec/aquatics

The complex has a mushroom fountain play area, a water slide, three diving boards and shade. Kids, $1.50; 18 and older, $3. Open 1-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 2.

Mesquite Aquatic Center

www.ci.gilbert.az.us/parks/facilities.cfm

The best pool in Gilbert, Mesquite has two water slides, a lap pool and diving board, and a kids' play area with mushroom fountains. Kids, $1; ages 18 and older, $2. Hours are 1-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 5. Closed Sundays.