Standing tall on raised ground, overlooking Preston Rd, Frisco Aquatic Center is a huge hit with families. First opened in 2007, the outdoor aquatic center has become a particular summer highlight. Eight years later, construction began to increase the area and add some great new family water features.
I had an opportunity to meet with Steve Walsh, Recreation Facilities Manager, and tour the site. As I stepped into the busy construction site, I noticed the “Wizard Matt Racer” dominating the park.
This 45-foot tall water slide allows four people to race at the same time through open and closed tubes challenged by the various twists and bends along the way. Encouraging the theme of family fun, parents of older children can enjoy a race together. Facing out onto the main thoroughfare through Frisco, this slide is being renamed by the City of Frisco, the Frisco Athletic Center, and project team, so you’ll come to know it as the “Preston Plunge.” Don’t you just love that?
The Frisco Athletic Center added an extra multi-level water playground for the younger kids called “The Fort.” Similar to the existing one, but bigger, with three slides where young children and toddlers can enjoy 85 interactive features!
My favorite, the lazy river which surrounds the park, has been extended by 300 feet with multiple entry points.
While you can still bring in your own coolers and food, there will now be a permanent concession stand run by a third-party vendor.
Steve outlined how the Frisco Community Development Corporation funded the entire project. Since 1995, this group is responsible for utilizing a half percent of the cities municipality sales tax for a defined array of public improvements including buildings, equipment, programs, and parks, as well as the promotion and development of business enterprises.
The aquatic center is a popular venue for birthday parties, so some extra park pavilions have been added for events. New large shaded structures are in place around the kiddie pools where parents can watch from a safe distance in 100+ degree days. Phew!
Open seven days a week, the FAC employs 300 staff throughout the whole complex including 140 lifeguards, 40 of whom will be in place on any given day in the outdoor area.
The checkout stand is now larger. New convenient restrooms are near the entrance, and as the capacity has increased from 600 to 1000, the car park is also extended to accommodate plenty of extra spaces.
The park will be open 7 days per week throughout the summer, and watch out for some great events and movie nights the whole family can enjoy. This summer’s dive in movies are:
Friday June 19 – Dolphin Tale 2
Friday July 17 – Big Hero 6
Friday Aug 7 – LEGO Movie
Texas summers certainly generate the heat so how lucky are we to have such great amenities to help cool off, right on our doorstep?
(NOTE: The heavy rainfall over the last few weeks delayed opening around Memorial weekend, however. Steve is confident they will be ready for everyone during the first week in June.)
Address:
Frisco Athletic Center
5828 Nancy Jane Lane
Frisco, Texas 75035
Phone: 972-292-6600