Work progresses on new Lombard water park

Subzero temperatures and piles of snow have failed to hamper work on Lombard's new water park under construction at St. Charles Road and Grace Street.

Park District Executive Director Paul Friedrichs reports that construction of the roughly $9 million Paradise Bay remains on schedule for the targeted June 6 opening.

"We're still on schedule and under budget," Friedrichs said.

Contractors used a crane last week to add the prefabricated concrete roof sections to the buildings that will contain locker rooms, concessions, offices and utility rooms. Crane operators also erected the steel tower to hold the water slides, which will be installed over the next several weeks.

Workers next will complete the building interiors, install the pool decks, drop slide and diving board, followed later by landscaping and signs.

When complete, the venue will feature multiple pools, water slides, water attractions, shaded areas and concessions.

Amenities will include a 12-foot dive well with two diving boards and a drop slide, a separate eight-lane lap pool, a 140,000-gallon leisure pool with an open tube and speed slides, as well as a separate zero-depth tot pool.

"Thrill seekers can try out the bowl slide for a gravity-defying rush of excitement, twist and turn their way down the body slide, lose their stomachs on the drop slide or pick up the pace on the speed slide," says Kathleen McManis, park district marketing and communications manager.

Younger kids can take a jaunt on a waterwalk, climb atop water creatures, initiate a water cannon shootout or just relax under a water mushroom maze.

A bubble bench will provide for "an airlifting experience" while the vortex will let swimmers feel the power of a current, according to McManis.

For information on the facility, visit lombardparks.com or call (630) 620-7322.