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AMES, Iowa – The City of Ames Parks and Recreation Department will phase the opening of the new Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center to allow final facility improvements to be addressed before fully opening in the coming months.
Beginning Monday, May 18, fitness classes scheduled in the facility’s multi-purpose room will begin. Swim lessons, aqua exercise classes, lap swimming, and water walking will begin Monday, June 1. In addition, the indoor pool basins will be available for open swim beginning Saturday, May 23 if weather-related conditions require the closure of the outdoor Furman Aquatic Center.
City staff identified several items within the facility that required additional work prior to the entire facility opening. The decision was made to complete those items now rather than open the building and later close portions of the facility while work was underway.
In addition to the multi-purpose room, the new Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center includes a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a zero-depth entry splash pool, a current channel, a wellness pool, a body slide, smaller training/party rooms, and walking area.
“This is a beautiful and much-needed recreational option for swimmers of all ages and abilities,” said Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham. “It also provides the perfect opportunity for walkers and fitness enthusiasts to stay active year-round. We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete these final items and prepare the facility for long-term success.”
Abraham also expressed appreciation to the family whose lead gift helped make the project possible. The total cost of the facility is $27 million with funds coming from the Ames City Council, Story County, the State of Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant program, and $8.4 million from individual donors.
“We are especially grateful to the Rich and Mary Fitch family for their visionary lead donation and support of this important community amenity,” he said.
For the next several months, the facility will have varied hours until its regular seasonal opening date of Tuesday, Sept. 8, which corresponds with the closing of the Furman Aquatic Center. When the Fitch Family Aquatic Center is open, visitors are allowed to use the walking track without paying admission.
Additional information is available at www.CityOfAmes.org/Fitch.
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