Des Plaines' new Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center set to open Saturday

Swimmers will be able to take their first few laps this weekend at the Des Plaines Park District's new indoor pool - a project more than a decade in the making.

The district will unveil the Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center, built as a 27,185-square-foot addition to the Prairie Lakes Community Center at 515 E. Thacker St., during a soft opening Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19.

The new 8-lane, 25-yard competition and lap pool will be open for free swimming, but patrons are asked to call (847) 391-5711 or email PrairieLakes@DPParks.org to reserve a 90-minute time slot. Time slots Saturday and Sunday will be at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Walk-ins will be accommodated if capacity limits under the Phase 4 state guidelines permit. Other rules, like wearing a mask when entering and leaving the facility, will be in place, officials said.

The new pool will host daily lap swimming, a new year-round swim school, the park district's Warriors swim team, and local and regional swim competitions.

Also opening Saturday is the indoor Splash Pad, which is available for daily use and as a special attraction for birthday parties in a nearby party room.

A third major feature of the new facility, a three-lane warm water Wellness Pool, is undergoing a fix to its whirlpool jets, and will be ready for a grand opening Saturday, Aug. 29. That 3½- to 4-foot depth pool is designed for aqua exercise classes, aqua cycling and water walking.

Other site improvements include an outdoor patio area, outdoor basketball court, volleyball court and walking pathway.

The $12.8 million project was funded with about $4.8 million in reserves and $8 million in bonds to be paid back over nine years.