In fall, 2008 the Fontana Aquatics Program will welcome residents to the all new state-of-the-art Aquatics Center at Fontana Park. The facility includes a 14-lane competition pool, zero-depth splash park, two water slides and a shallow recreation pool. While the city is currently discussing keeping the Aquatics Center open year round, it is scheduled to debut in September. In the meantime, swimmers should mark their calendars for the upcoming season of fun in the sun beginning Monday, June 9.

In celebration of the opening of the renovated Heritage Neighborhood Center and Pool, the Heritage location will have special pre-season opening dates on June 7 and 8. Fontana pools are located in three locations, Don Day Pool at 14501 Live Oak Avenue, Miller Pool at 17004 Arrow Boulevard, and Heritage Pool at 7350 W. Liberty Parkway.

Summer Recreation Swim

When City pools open on June 9 residents will welcome lounge chairs and dips in the pools or laps in the lanes from noon to 4:30 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Entrance fees are affordable at only $1.50 for children 17 and younger and $3.00 for adults ages 18 and older.

Those who spend most days at the pool will enjoy the Aquatic Season Swim Pass. The passes are valid through Monday, September 1 and may be used at any city pool. An individual pass is $50.00, $160.00 for a family of four, and $40.00 for each additional family member. Passes may be purchased at the Miller Fitness Center, 17004 Arrow Boulevard or at the Community Services Office, 9460 Sierra Avenue.

On Saturday, June 14th from noon to 4:30 pm, residents are invited to learn about swim lessons, the Jr. Lifeguard program, water aerobics, and upcoming programs at Fontana Park’s Aquatic Center.

Similar demonstrations will be offered Saturday, June 21 when the Aquatics Program will host a Water Safety Day. The event is offered at all three swimming pools from noon to 4:30 pm and teaches basic pool safety techniques such as how to protect skin against harmful UV rays or save people from drowning.

All demonstrations are free and will be at all three pools. For more information about events at a particular location, please call Miller Pool, (909) 428-8363; Don Day Pool (909) 428-8383; and Heritage Pool (909) 428-8820.

Group swim sessions are an affordable $40 per class per session. Two week sessions will be held beginning Friday, June 13 through Friday, August 8. Semi-private lessons are also offered in five session periods. Morning and evening classes are available to all ages.

A New Era for Aquatics Programming

In March, the Aquatics program launched its new website, www.FontanaAquaticsProgram.org.

“We wanted to make the existing Aquatics website more resourceful and up-to-the-minute,” explains Rafael Gonzalez, City of Fontana aquatics supervisor adding, “The way information is exchanged has changed over the years and the internet is a great tool. With a progressive city, such as Fontana, we need to keep up with technology and use it to our full advantage to benefit our community.”

The website provides details about the Aquatics program, how to become a lifeguard, testing dates, and requirements, as well as a link to apply for a position. Pool locations with images of the pools will help many residents find the nearest rental information. The new website gives citizens direct access to the program staff.

“We strongly believe in great customer service and I’m willing to hear any ideas or comments that the community may have about our program,” offers Gonzalez, adding “The website is an ongoing project and it will be changing slightly with information being added and removed as summer approaches and information becomes available.”

Please visit the site at www.FontanaAquaticsProgram.org or to reserve a facility, please call (909) 428-8360 ext. 234.

Heritage Pool

With the recent face-lift at Heritage Pool, which serves as a beautiful backdrop to the courtyard of the new Heritage Neighborhood Center, many were anxious to participate in the special opening week.

Heritage Pool already brings in large crowds with the popular Friday night Dive-In Movies which is one of the many summer events offered throughout the community. Using the summer series theme of “Around World in 8 Weeks” the Friday Night Dive-Ins will feature children’s animated movie hits with a continental flair. The lineup begins on Friday, June 20 with Rescuers Down Under and ends on Friday, August 15 with Happy Feet. Movies begin at 6:30 pm and usually sell out quickly so arrive early.

To find out more about the summer recreational program, the new Aquatics Center at Fontana Park, or the Fontana Aquatics Program, please visit www.FontanaAquaticsProgram.org.