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Escape the snow at Lehi's Aquatic Center |
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Written by Leslie Kawai
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Friday, 15 February 2008 |
Wish you could head to the beach or water park for some summer fun? Well, you can. Take a trip to the Lehi Legacy Aquatic Center for an indoor water park adventure.
Located conveniently off of I-15, exit 279, the Lehi Aquatic Center boasts year-round water recreation fun.
The parking lot was packed the evening I took my three children to try out the waterslides, lazy river and swimming activities.
We walked in with our snow boots and down-filled coats past the snow-covered entrance and changed into our towels and swimsuits, ready to play at the “beach.” The center has something for everyone. Serious swimmers swam laps in a neighboring eight-lane lap pool. Young and old floated around the lazy river. Children and teens — and even their parents—took turns sitting underneath a gigantic artificial bamboo bucket that every few minutes dumps more than 200 gallons of water over squealing families sitting in the shallow water on the perimeter of one of the children’s play areas.
I have to admit, that I, too, got soaked — twice by the “bucket” (it’s easy to get talking and forget the bucket is getting ready to dump on you!), and a few times by smiling children who can turn one of many water sprayers in a variety of directions to spray unsuspecting onlookers. This is, of course, all part of the great fun at the many play areas at the aquatics center.
The center actually consists of four separate pools: a hot tub, the leisure pool areas, the lap pool and an outdoor splash pool (open during summer only), for a grand 13,900 square feet of swimming surface area and more than 320,160 total gallons of water.
The best part is that the water is WARM, generally kept at 90 degrees (the lap pool is kept at 84 degrees) — a nice change from the 20-degree weather outside. Dan Harrison, facility director, commented that when they designed the pool and decided to keep the water so warm they were actually thinking of the young children — “no more blue lips.” And Harrison’s foresight has paid off — the aquatics center is a favorite of Lehi locals and guest patrons from surrounding communities.
The aquatics center is part of the 96,560-square-foot Lehi Legacy Recreation Center that boasts three full-size gyms, cardio and weight rooms, an indoor walking track, free cycling, locker rooms, a rock climbing wall, and the amazing aquatic center. The center was built in two phases, with the recreational facility opening in July 2001, and the aquatics center opening in May 2005.
What prompted such a great indoor water facility? Harrison says that the full-fledged community center grew from the Lehi city officials’ and administrators’ desire to meet the growing needs of thriving basketball and youth programs. Efforts to meet facility needs for these programs developed into the current Lehi Legacy Center.
Harrison says that the center’s best contribution is that it provides Lehi with a gathering place for all different age groups. “We’ve had many city functions here. There’s something for everyone here at our facility.” And, although the facility exists to service Lehi city, there are patrons who come from outside of Lehi to participate. There are resident discounts specific for patrons who live within city boundaries.
Although there are a large variety of indoor activities at this Lehi recreational facility, it was the thought of playing at a water park in the dead of winter that brought me and my family to the Legacy Center. We loved it. The warm water and summer-like relaxing atmosphere was a nice change from the outside snow and cold.
The aquatics center features retractable walls and ceiling that slide open in the summer to the sunshine. During the winter, the walls and ceiling are closed and the water is heated. The north side of the center features the lap pool and diving boards. The south side boasts the lazy river, which doubles in size during the summer months when the walls are open. Family changing rooms, an observation deck, and plenty of spectator seating make the aquatics center amenable for families. Several water slides (my kids’ favorite), fountains, play structures, a toddler splash pool complete with swings and slides, the popular giant “bucket” dump, a leisure pool and a large hot tub ensure that there is something for everyone.
Lifejackets are available for toddlers. And, of course, aquatic diapers or plastic pants are required for children not potty-trained. Children under 8 must be supervised by an adult 18 years or older, and children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
There are plenty of chairs for sitting around the perimeter of the play areas. Although I was in the water with my kids, I appreciated that there were several moms sitting and visiting along the outside of the play area while watching their kids play. I loved that you could see where your kids were from one spot — whether they were in the lazy river, at the waterslide, the pool, the hot tub, or the children’s play areas. As we played, several families and mothers sat visiting, some of them soaking their feet in the edge of the hot tub or neighboring children’s play area.
Holly Jackson, mother of seven children, lives in American Fork and often brings her family to the Lehi pool. “It’s a fun place. The water is warm, and it is just a lot of fun for the kids.” Holly’s husband teaches Tae Kwan Do at the Legacy Center. “People come from all over,” Holly said, “Eagle Mountain, American Fork, Saratoga Springs.” Her son, Bryston, 4, demonstrated for me how the water swings work in the “Baby Mountain” area.
Zady Michaelis, also 4, happily played in the water and tried to “catch” spurts of water that shoot up at random times from the beach-like shore of the largest children’s play area. Zady was with her grandma and her aunt, Christina Roper, of Orem. Christina is on the Orem swim team and began bringing her family to the Lehi pool after she saw how neat it was a year ago while swimming here for a swim meet. “It’s very cool, very big; the water’s warm, and it’s nice for the little kids with the shallow area.” And, of course, as Christina put it, “It has ‘the bucket.’ ”
In addition to the fun play areas, warm water, and waterslides that the moms I talked to mentioned, I have to say, I loved the price — even in the summer you can’t go to a regular water park for under an “arm-an-a-leg.” And, yet, I paid only $14 to take my family of four to the aquatic center. Daily admittance for full facility use is only $5 for adults, ages 18-59; $4 for youths, ages 12-17; and $3 for children, ages 4-11 and seniors, ages 60+. So, for less than it would be to all go see a movie, we spent an evening at the “beach” — in February!!
Moms, take note of this idea: the Legacy Center does a variety of birthday parties. Prices range from $65 to $90 for a party of 10 kids and include a variety of options, including rock wall climbing, pool or gym use, pizza, sodas, and party bags!
The leisure pools and the lap pool are also available for private rental.
And that’s not all…. the Legacy Center also hosts activities such as sleepovers, princess days, health and fitness fairs, and more. Check out their website: www.lehicity.com\legacycenter for more details on their many programs. I know families who come every year for family reunions (I have a feeling we’ll be back soon for my daughter’s birthday). And, although I live about 30 minutes away, I’m already planning a return trip with some neighborhood friends and their kids!
IF YOU GO:
Lehi Legacy Center: (801) 768-7124, 123 N. Center St., Lehi
Experience a summer water park in winter at the indoor Lehi Legacy Aquatics Center. The Center is open year-round and offers an 8-lane lap pool, hot tub, leisure pool, lazy river, waterslides, several play areas, fountains, the famous giant bucket drop, and more!
Hours: Swimming is open to the public: Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–8:50 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.–7:50 p.m. Private rentals are available Mon – Fri, 9 p.m.-10:50 p.m. and Saturday, 8 p.m.–9:50 p.m. See website for public lap swimming hours: www.lehicity.com\legacycenter\aquaticscenter.php
Pack right!
• towels
• warm change of clothes (the cold hits hard after playing in the warm water)
• shampoo, soap, brush, and lotion (the Legacy Center has convenient shower facilities—a quick shower off and a change into pajamas and the kids can fall asleep ready for bed in the car on the way home!)
• goggles
• swimsuits
• camera
Plan for snacks.
What is it about kids and swimming that they ALWAYS get hungry after playing in the water? So, be prepared, and pack snacks! And, although food and drink are not permitted on the pool deck areas, there are designated eating areas, and the Legacy Center provides a fully stocked snack bar, offering sandwiches, corn dogs, salads, soups, breadsticks, pretzels, candy, chips, drinks, and more. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Or, drive east on Lehi’s Main Street about one mile and you’ll have your choice of eating at one of many Lehi Main Street vendors: One Man Band Diner, IHOP, or the regular fast food shops.
Block out at least 2 hours.
We only had about an hour and 15 minutes when we went. This was definitely not enough time. There are so many fun things to do at the aquatics center that you will want to plan on at least two hours.
MAKE YOUR ADVENTURE KID-COOL:
• Pack snacks. Munching on a snack takes the kids’ minds off of the COLD car So, minimize the complaints by filling up hungry tummies—pack snacks or plan to purchase a quick treat at the Legacy Center snack bar (see downloadable packing list for more snack ideas).
• Shower off your kids before the car ride home. A friend of mine suggested I pack shampoo, some shower gel, and a comb. I’m so glad I did! The Legacy Center has very clean and comfortable shower facilities. I used the “common” shower area, kept the kids’ suits on, but washed their hair and rinsed them off with soapy water—definitely a good idea. They can then change directly into clean clothes or jammies and they’re ready for the car ride home. Tired kids—from playing at a waterpark!--tend to fall asleep in the car, so it’s nice to be able to load a sleeping toddler, clean and ready for bed, directly from car to bed without having to wake him and throw him in the tub when you get home. Note: an inexpensive clarifying shampoo will do the best job at taking out the chlorine!
• Throw in some lotion. The dry and cold weather can sting the chlorine-exposed skin. Cover the kids’ skin, especially exposed cheeks and lips with a little Vaseline or mild lotion before you go outside and you’ll have happier kids.
• Blow-dry their hair. If you have time, take a minute to blow-dry their hair so they don’t freeze on the way home. Make sure you do this only if you’ve washed and rinsed their hair. It’s so much nicer to be clean and warm—then when you get home you don’t have to go through changing AGAIN and getting wet AGAIN. Another kid-friendly tip: warm up their clothes for a few seconds with the blow-dryer before you dress them! What child doesn’t like stepping into “warm” pajamas or clothes! This will put a smile on their faces and make them feel special (this translates into happier kids for the car ride home!!).
• Keep a blanket or two in your car! I keep a couple of soft blankets in my car to help keep cold kids cozy and take off the edge as I’m warming up the car. |
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