Lindon opens $10 million water park
LINDON — Residents were able to enjoy the city’s first aquatic facility, the Lindon Aquatic Center, on Saturday.
More than 800 people participated in the opening day public event.
Karl Liechty, age 14, said he was thrilled with the new facility and did not want to leave the FlowRider, a body and surfboard wave attraction.
“It’s really fun,” the son of Christopher and Hailey Liechty of Lindon said. “You crash a lot. It’s just adrenaline. It’s exciting. It’s really fun.”
Saturday wasn’t the first time the $10 million water park had been used by families. City management had a couple of test parties with the contractors and staff.
“That has allowed us to test and train the pool staff to have a somewhat less chaotic environment when we open,” said Parks and Recreation Director Dan Seder.
He said he had a lot of staff to train, having hired 65 lifeguards and approximately 25 office staff for the facility. Seder said 20 lifeguards are needed each day to run the center; response for the position openings were more than adequate.
“Yes, it has been really good as a matter of fact,” Seder said. “We have [more] applications and a waiting list.”
Seder said response to the overall facility had been equally enthusiastic.
Jason and Carissa Babb of Provo were there for the afternoon with their children and had been tipped off by Carissa’s mother, Anette Prowther of Lindon, that the center was open.
“It’s amazing,” said Carissa Babb of the facility. “It’s great,” said her husband. His little sister Kaitlyn Babb, age 9, said her favorite part of the center was the water slide.
“From what I understand, the residents have waited for this facility for a long time,” Seder said.
The Lindon Aquatic Center is on the east side of Lindon City Hall at 100 N. State St. and has a 2.5-acre campus. There is a leisure pool complete with stationary toys and slide attached to a lazy river, six-lane lap pool, hot tub, kiddie pool and FlowRider or “wave” pool.
The new aquatic center will be open through Labor Day in September. Seder said the FlowRider may be able to stay open longer than the rest of the water facility because it was built on a separate system. More information on the center’s hours, prices and policies can be found at www.lindoncity.org. Perhaps the biggest attraction for patrons today is experiencing the $2 million FlowRider at the center.
“We have a lot of interest in it, adults too,” he said. “It was designed really for all ages but particularly for teens and young adults.”
While there is no age requirement for the FlowRider, patrons must be 42 inches tall or greater to use the body board amenity and 52 inches high to use the surfboard area.
To maintain a safe swimming environment, the facility will be equipped with a ultraviolet water filtering system that kills bacteria. Some of the amenities will include locker and dressing rooms, snack area, concessions near the pool and a party room.
The aquatic center was designed so that when the city is ready, a fitness center can be tied into the newly constructed building.
• Cathy Allred can be reached at heraldextra@digis.net or (801) 376-6422.
