For a Town Facility, It's Very Splashy

Aquatic Center to Open In Leesburg on Saturday

By Kafia A. Hosh

Thursday, May 21, 2009

With the 600-foot-long Lazy River, which loops around a small island, plus multiple slides, decorative fountains and a grassy picnic area, the new A.V. Symington Aquatic Center at Leesburg's Ida Lee Park resembles a commercial water park more than a public pool.

On Monday, park employees were cleaning the center's outdoor swimming pool and doing some last-minute landscaping before the facility opens to the public Saturday.

"Finishing touches to get ready for the weekend," said Rich Williams, director of Leesburg's Parks and Recreation Department.

The $7 million center has sections designed for various age groups. The baby pool is surrounded by a shaded seating area where parents can watch their little ones play. Another area of the pool, intended for school-age children, is about three feet deep and decorated with plastic lily pads and a cargo net.

The deepest end is for teenagers and includes a slide that sits about 20 inches above the water, creating a big drop at the end of the ride.

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Aquatic Center Opens in Leesburg

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An overview of the new Aquatic Center at Leesburg's Ida Lee Park. The center features a six-hundred-foot "Lazy River." (Tracy A. Woodward)

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The Aquatic Center at Ida Lee Park, which opens May 23, features pools specially suited for kids and their families. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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An unidentified worker prepares the new Aquatic Center at Leesburg's Ida Lee Park for its May 23 opening. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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A view down the dual water slides at The Aquatic Center at Ida Lee Park. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Leesburg Director of Parks and Reaction Rich Williams displays the lily-pad pool-crossing feature at Ida Lee Park's new Aquatic Center. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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"It's that thrill they really want," said Jay Allred, the park's aquatics manager. Another thrill can be found at the 19-foot-high water slide tower; the ride down lasts 10 to 12 seconds, he added.

Construction of the center began in September, and the design was greatly influenced by public comments, Williams said. During input sessions in 2007, town residents said they wanted a family-friendly pool with a lot of slides and play areas for children.

The water-park look also reflects the industry standards that are now being applied to municipal pools, Allred said.

"This is what the direction of the outdoor pool is," he said. "It's more interactive. You can play sharks and minnows for only so long until you're tired of it."

Notwithstanding the many water slides and commercial amenities, the center also was designed to blend with its surroundings. The desert-like landscaping around the pool resembles the land's original boulders and natural rock outcroppings. The island in the center of the pool is decorated with rocks, pebbles and desert trees and flowers.

The colors of the pool area and the adjacent office building also match the green roof and tan-and-brick exterior at Ida Lee Park's recreation center.

The pool is part of Ida Lee's $10.5 million expansion, which includes an indoor tennis center that opened last year. Almost half of the money to expand the park was donated by the late philanthropist A.V. Symington. An additional $4.5 million came from the town; $1 million in developer proffers will go toward the purchase of nearby land for future park amenities.

Parks and recreation officials said they were grateful for the Symington donation, especially during a time of town budget cutbacks and bleak economic forecasts.

"We consider ourselves very fortunate that Mrs. Symington felt strongly enough about what we do to leave the money for us," Williams said.

The pool season will run from Saturday to Sept. 7. The pool will be open to Leesburg residents from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and to nonresidents from noon to 8 p.m.

The weekday admissions price for children ages 2 to 15 and seniors 60 and older is $5 for town residents and $8 for nonresidents. The weekday rate for adults is $6 for town residents and $9 for nonresidents. Weekend rates are $1 more for all users. After 6 p.m. daily, the price will be reduced to $4 for town residents and $6 for nonresidents. Children younger than 2 get in free.

Admissions passes for 15 or 25 visits are available for residents only. To buy a pass or for information about the pool, call 703-777-1368 or go to www.idalee.org.

Tagged: A.V. Symington Aquatic Center, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, water

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