Saturday, May 29, was the opening day for pools in Putnam County. Unfortunately, unseasonably cool weather resulted in much lower than normal attendance on Saturday and Sunday. With temperatures only reaching the mid-50’s, few were brave enough to take a plunge into the Wave Pool or the Eleanor Pool. Not one soul chose to test the spraying waters at the Hurricane City Sprayground. The five daring individuals who visited the Wave Pool on opening day found the water, at 68°, to be 15° warmer than the surrounding air.
Memorial Day’s warmer temperatures brought more people out to pools and water features. Around 100 people visited the Wave Pool on Monday, which staff members said was a good turn out considering the weather.
“The pool was closed all last year,” said Wave Pool manager Katie Fuller, recalling the COVID shutdown of 2020. “Everyone is excited to be out of the sun, in the water, and out of the house.”
“We are excited to allow people back this year,” said Ashley Deal, co-director of Valley Park. “We enjoy seeing families come out and enjoy their summer at the Waves of Fun.”
Unfortunately, the slides at the Wave Pool will be closed this year due to structural deterioration of the supporting framework. At this time, the Park is debating whether to restructure the slides or to build something new in that space.
To compensate for the closure of the slides, the Wave Pool will be offering many new events and special activities. Corn hole and ladder golf will be included in the price of admission, and visitors can play ping pong on the patio for $2. On Mondays at 10 a.m., senior citizens are invited to enjoy a special no-waves swimming experience, games, and coffee. On Tuesdays at 10 a.m., there will be poolside fitness sessions, and on Thursdays at 10 a.m., the Guppy Squad will offer story time, crafts, and swimming for children. Wednesdays will feature buy one get one free snow cones all day, and every Friday there will be a special theme at the pool.
Visitors to the pool can eat at the Wave Pool concession stand, get lemonade and snow cones from Rocky’s World of Ice Cream, drink cold brew coffee and flavored lemonade at Blue Tiger Brew, or enjoy sweet treats from Valley Cakes. Blue Tiger Brew, operated by Charity Dudley, is a new addition to the Park, and customers can make purchases from the parking lot or pool side.
Upcoming events at the Wave pool include Grad Night from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 12. This event will feature a live DJ, food, prizes and giveaways, and a showing of “The Meg.” There will also be Team Trivia Nights for ages 21 and over this Friday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m. Other trivia nights will be held on June 18 and July 16.
The Eleanor Pool will be offering swim lessons with the YMCA and water aerobics on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call the Tri-County YMCA at 304-757-0016.
The Wave Pool, Eleanor Pool, and Hurricane Sprayground will open for the summer beginning next weekend.
