Date:      February 20, 2004

To:          Ernie Shaw, Superintendent of Facilities and Maintenance

From:     Jimmy Gibbs, Aquatic Supervisor

RE:          Announcement of 2004 OAC Operating Season

We are excited to announce the upcoming 2004 OAC operating season and preview many of the awesome events that will take place at the Outdoor Aquatic Center. 

The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 747 Kentucky, will officially open for the summer on Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 1:00 p.m.  This pool will operate everyday from 1-8:45 p.m. until we begin “back-to-school” hours on August 16, 2004. 

The Aquatics Division is proud to offer nationally recognized programs and services.  In 2004 the Aquatics Division was awarded the Class IV 2004 Excellence in Aquatics Award from the National Park and Recreation Association.  The National Excellence in Aquatics Award honors agencies and institutions that demonstrate excellence in planning and managing diversified aquatic services. The degree of excellence in managing, planning, and programming these diversified aquatic interests is the primary criterion for which the award is presented.  With our terrific staff of creative people, the Lawrence community can look forward to some of the most exciting and innovative programs in the country!

This summer at the OAC, we are excited to introduce a new program, “Concerts on the Deck,” which will feature local music artists by the poolside.  This is a new concept for the OAC.  Jazz, R&B, Bluegrass and some light rock tunes will flood our swimmers with a cultural twist on a traditional family-night of swimming.  We sure hope to build this program into a great, family-oriented evening for the whole community.  An awesome lineup of musical groups is still being compiled and will be unveiled to the community in the following weeks. 

In an effort to generate more swimming families in the evenings, the Aquatics Division will again this year feature Twilight Pricing Monday through Thursday evenings at both pools.  After 6:00 p.m. children 5-17 will pay only $1; and swimmers 18 and older will pay $2 to swim for the evening.  This is a great pricing strategy that celebrates the family and provides a cost-effective way to enjoy a night of swimming. 

Just before we drain the OAC for the season, we are all geared up to turn the place over to the dogs!  On Tuesday, September 7 we’ll open the gates for our 4-legged swimmers.  The Pooch Plunge is a fantastic program that was introduced at the end of 2003 and was a community-wide hit!  For a small fee, dogs get the run of the place and get a special treat, too!

When School District 497 goes back into session for the 2004-2005 school year, we will alter our OAC hours as we have each August to coincide with classes.  Our hours will vary from the normal summer hours to match the change in people’s schedules. 

The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 747 Kentucky, will observe the following back-to-school schedule from Monday, August 16 through Labor Day, Monday, September 6:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday  1-8:45 pm

Monday through Thursday the OAC will not operate public hours but will be available for private parties.  Call 832-SWIM for rental information.

Labor Day, the last day of the season, 1-8:45 pm

The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center will close for the season on Monday, September 6 at 8:45 pm.

As of August 16, the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive, will observe the following back-to-school schedule:

Lap Swimming
Monday through Friday, 5:15 am to 8:45 pm
Saturday, 9am to 8:45 pm
Sunday, 1:00 to 5:45 pm

Family Pool
Monday-Friday (except Wednesday) 3:30-8:45pm
Wednesday 2:30-8:45 pm
Saturday 1-8:45 pm
Sunday 1-5:45 pm