City leaders race down the Preston Plunge to celebrate the grand opening of the Outdoor Aquatic Center.[/caption]
After several cancelled openings because of weather delays, the $6 million dollar Outdoor Aquatic Center expansion finally opened June 13.
Mike Gfeller, parks and recreation board chairman, said since the Frisco Athletic Center opened in 2007, it has continued to experience growth year after year. Gfeller said the added features of the FAC's water park are the city’s strategy to meet the increasing demand of Frisco.
“There are those that would say that cities have no business providing amenities such as this and that they’re reserved for private enterprise,” Gfeller said. “But I would say, 'Look around and look at all the smiles and faces of kids and parents here today, everyday and hereafter.' Being able to provide an opportunity for inexpensive and more importantly safe fun for our citizens is not only a good thing for our city to do, but it’s also the right thing to do.”
The opening for the water park was originally scheduled to open Memorial Day, but construction was delayed because of recent heavy rains.
To celebrate the opening, city leaders took “The Preston Plunge” on the 45-foot tall, four-lane mat racer.
Racers included Gfeller, Mayor Pro Tem John Keating, Community Development Corporation Secretary Rene Sinclair and Kyle Laferney, park planning and capital projects superintendent.
The competitors raced, head first, for a big splash that signaled the opening of the park.
The park also features “The Fort”, a multi-level, interactive water playground with three slides and more than 85 spray features. The “Lazy River” was made longer going from 300 linear feet to a total of 1,000 linear feet.
City leaders race down the Preston Plunge to celebrate the grand opening of the Outdoor Aquatic Center.[/caption]
After several cancelled openings because of weather delays, the $6 million dollar Outdoor Aquatic Center expansion finally opened June 13.
Mike Gfeller, parks and recreation board chairman, said since the Frisco Athletic Center opened in 2007, it has continued to experience growth year after year. Gfeller said the added features of the FAC's water park are the city’s strategy to meet the increasing demand of Frisco.
“There are those that would say that cities have no business providing amenities such as this and that they’re reserved for private enterprise,” Gfeller said. “But I would say, 'Look around and look at all the smiles and faces of kids and parents here today, everyday and hereafter.' Being able to provide an opportunity for inexpensive and more importantly safe fun for our citizens is not only a good thing for our city to do, but it’s also the right thing to do.”
The opening for the water park was originally scheduled to open Memorial Day, but construction was delayed because of recent heavy rains.
To celebrate the opening, city leaders took “The Preston Plunge” on the 45-foot tall, four-lane mat racer.
Racers included Gfeller, Mayor Pro Tem John Keating, Community Development Corporation Secretary Rene Sinclair and Kyle Laferney, park planning and capital projects superintendent.
The competitors raced, head first, for a big splash that signaled the opening of the park.
The park also features “The Fort”, a multi-level, interactive water playground with three slides and more than 85 spray features. The “Lazy River” was made longer going from 300 linear feet to a total of 1,000 linear feet.
