Weekend-Only Hours Kick In For Remains Of The Season At Russell Sims Aquatics Center

Bowling Green, KY – As schools open their doors for the beginning of a new academic year, our favorite local aquatic spot, the Russell Sims Aquatics Center, has switched up its operating hours to be open only on weekends.

Ever wondered why? It turns out, heaps of those lovable summer helpers – you know, the ones manning the admissions and concessions or perched in the lifeguard chairs – are high-school kids who gotta hit the books again. Cameron Levis, who runs the Recreation Division for the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation, filled us in on why this change happens.

“Our operation abilities take a bit of a hit when our young employees go back to school. So, we typically play it safe by rolling out back-to-school hours, which means we’re open on weekends only,” Levis explained. But don’t worry, it’s not all bad news. There are a few extras tucked into the schedule.

Those who can’t stay away from the pool for too long would be thrilled to hear about the aquatic center’s ‘Lap Swim’ offer. On Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., swimmers can come and do laps in the outdoor 50-meter pool. And here’s the kicker – it’s just $3 for the whole season.

“We’re chuffed to bits to offer lap swim to everyone this summer. We’re one of the few places around with an outdoor lap pool of this size. With this, we aim to offer something unique that’ll help people stay fit and healthy,” added Levis.

2024 has been a scorcher of a season for the water park. You wouldn’t believe it but around 15,000 folks, give or take, have visited the park or taken part in the park’s events this summer! “Every single summer is our time to shine. We take huge pride in what we do here at the water park,” beamed Levis.

A part of this summer’s efforts revolved around making the park even more enjoyable for the community. One notable event was ‘Journey to Neverland’ which Levis mentioned was a big hit. They even managed to sprinkle a little bit of Disney magic to the vibe of the water park.

Don’t forget though, open hours for the rest of the season are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. September 2, Labor Day, will be your last chance to visit the park this year. So, make sure you make every visit count. For more info, just head over to the city’s official website.