Aquatic Center Moves Closer to a Spring Opening

The Olympic-size pool is filled, the giant water slides are completed and the Perris-Menifee Valley Aquatic Center appears on track to open to the public by May.

The first planned use of the facility is competition by high school swim teams, which could begin using the main pool for meets when swim season begins. Heritage High School athletic director David Drake, whose school is organizing a swim team for the first time, said this week that although he has not heard a firm date for the opening, he is hopeful of an opening to high school teams sometime in February.

The entire 12-acre, $25 million facility will be open to the public in time for the summer season. Built under the supervision of Riverside County, the center will include several water slides, a kids' splash park, a "lazy river" and volleyball courts. Admission prices have not been announced, but may be as little as $3 for use of the pool and $18 for adult general admission.