When the city of Elgin’s pools open in just a few weeks, patrons will be able to check out three new features — a children’s play structure, new cabanas and a three-meter diving board — at the Wing Park Family Aquatic Center.
All three should be ready by Saturday, May 30, the first day of the pool season for both Wing Park at 1030 Wing St. and Lords Park Family Aquatic Center at 325 Hiawatha Drive.
“On the south end of the (Wing Park) pool, a brand-new play structure has replaced the former boat slide,” city spokeswoman Josie Beecher-Crotty said.
Designed for children between the ages of 1 and 10, the attraction features a small water slide and interactive water table, Beecher-Crotty said.
The new cabana structures are under construction and should be ready by summer, and the new diving board is already in place, she said.
“These (cabana) spaces are planned to be available for daytime rentals, offering a new option for parties and special events,” Beecher-Crotty said.
In addition to the new features, both Wing Park and Lords Park pools have undergone significant improvements during the off-season, including resurfaced pool vessels and concrete that’s either been repaired or replaced, she said.
“Wing Park’s dual body slides have also been refurbished, following similar updates completed at Lords Park last season,” she said.
The aquatic centers had a total of 37,063 visits last year. Both offer double water slides, a volleyball court, bathhouse, competition lap pool, children’s play area and concession building.
Wing Park’s pool is 22,653 square feet in size and has a diving well and four water play features. It began life in 1908 as the Elgin’s first pool when the city dammed up Tyler Creek and created a swimming hole. A concrete bottom was added in 1924 and since then it has undergone numerous expansions and improvements that eventually resulted in the existing aquatic center.
Lords Park pool has 14,142 square feet of swimming space and three water features. The pool underwent its last major reconstruction in 2000. Three years ago, the city considered closing the pool as a cost-saving measure but residents fought its closure.
Both pools have open swim hours from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Lap swim hours are 7 to 9 a.m. and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. daily at Wing Park and 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Lords Park.
Admission is $10 for resident youths and adults, $15 for nonresident youths and adults, $9 for resident seniors and $13 for nonresident seniors (non-resident).
Lords Park will end the swimming season on Aug. 16 whereas Wing Park is to close on Aug. 23, depending on staffing.
Outside of Elgin, Dundee Township Park District also has an aquatic center.
Dolphin Cove at 300 N. Kennedy Drive in Carpentersville has water slides, a lazy river, sandy play area with water features and a concession stand. It offers a zero-depth entry and lounge chairs and is ADA accessible.
Open daily from Saturday, May 23, to Sunday, Aug. 9, its hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 12:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Special holiday hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 25, and 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
There also will be 12:30 to 6 p.m. hours on Aug. 15-16 and on Labor Day, Sept. 7.
For residents, admission is $11 for children ages 3 to 9, $12 for ages 10 to 61 and $10 for seniors 62 and older. Nonresidents pay an additional $3.
The Dundee park district currently has just one aquatic center, having closed its outdoor pool in Sleepy Hollow in 2023 after 60 years of operation.
Park district officials are doing a master plan before determining where a new pool will be located. It could be in the same area as the former Sleepy Hollow pool or built at Randall Oaks Recreation Center in West Dundee.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
