Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center now open in Des Plaines

The Des Plaines Park District Saturday unveiled the Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center, a 27,000-square-foot building connected to the existing Prairie Lakes Community Center at 515 E. Thacker St.

Construction conception began in May 2015 and ground was broken in April 2019.

The center features an eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool, with a timing/scoreboard system and 150 spectator retractable bleachers. It will be the home of the park district's Warriors swim team for year-round training and competitions.

The 3½- to 4-foot depth warm water wellness pool with three lap lanes and in-pool seating complete with hydrotherapy jets will be used for fitness and wellness classes and for parent-infant swim programming.

There is a water play splash pad for children ages 2-12 with a rubberized cushion base. It can be reserved for private parties. A new multipurpose/party room is connected to the aquatic center, with a kitchen, seating for up to 50 people, 65-inch TV and outdoor patio seating.

The aquatic center includes its own men and women's locker rooms and six family-friendly changing rooms.

For more information, go to dpparks.org/prairie-lakes-aquatic-center.