The major expansion of the Outdoor Aquatic Center at the Frisco Athletic Center will soon be underway.

Steve Walsh, facilities manager for the city's Parks & Recreation Department, said construction on the $6 million project, funded by the Frisco Community Development Corp., is scheduled to begin in November and be finished by Memorial Day, May 26—the date the water park opens for the summer.

"What we want to do with this expansion is continue to capitalize on the experience for families," Walsh said. "We do not have a desire to become a traditional water park. We want to have a municipal outdoor aquatics facility that provides opportunities for the family. Our target audience is our citizens."

The family aquatic center is currently 60,000 square feet and includes a children's play area, 600-feet-long lazy river, a lagoon pool and two water slides.

The center will be expanded an additional 40,000 square feet. The capacity of the park will increase from 600 to about 1,000 people per day.

Two more water slides will be added, including a two-person slide, along with a children's aquatic play structure about 10 times the size of the existing structure.

A large "Wizard Racer" slide is one of the highlights of the new expansion. The four-slide structure will allow four participants to head down their respective slides at one time in a race to get to the bottom.

The lazy river will be expanded about another 300 feet.

The expansion continues the FAC's mission of a family-oriented facility.

"This allows us to expand on the age-based elements," Walsh said. "The water slides and the racer will be appealing to our teenage clientele, the aquatic play structure will be appealing to toddlers and youngsters, and parents will continue to love the lazy river."

In addition to the entertainment features, a new entry building will be constructed, along with a bath house, deck showers and an outside concession stand.

Pavilions for birthday parties will complete the expansion and the extra pool space will allow for more students in the city's Learn to Swim program.

Member and visitor fees currently cover 100 percent of the operational costs of the Frisco Athletic Center, including the Aquatic Center.

"We believe with the elements we are adding, we will be able to welcome more guests per day and still maintain our financial goals of being 100 percent cost recovery," Walsh said.

The part-time, seasonal lifeguard crew on duty will be increased from 25 to 39.

In all, close to 50 workers will be added, but most will work part time, which equates to about nine full-time positions.

5828 Nancy Jane Lane. 972-292-6600

Admission fees:

• Youth day pass (ages 2-17), $6

• Adult day pass (18 and older), $8