Lifeguards in red shorts and white T-shirts scrambled to put deck chairs in place as a small crowd gathered at the gate waiting for the Nixa Aquatic Center to open Monday afternoon.
Less than an hour after the gate was unlocked at 1 p.m., nearly 150 people were in the pool, grateful it was open.
In 2023, the 320,000-gallon pool was leaking 75,000 gallons of water daily and had to be closed for the entire season. A $1.3 million project replaced all the underground piping on the recirculation system, rehabilitated filters and piping in the pumphouse and added new amenities for pool patrons.
Nixa resident Mary Crace was among the first through the gate. She and her family missed swimming at the Nixa Aquatics Center last year, something they do multiple times weekly every summer.
“We drove to Willard last year just to swim,” Crace said, as she sat on a low concrete wall waiting for the pool to open. “We love to hang out at the pool.”
Her 10-year-old son’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement while he waited with his mom, grandma and cousin.
“When it was shut down, it was pretty boring,” Cohen Crace said.
The pool was anything but boring Monday. Teen boys jostled for a ball at the basketball goal, small children were splashing in the kids play areas and the diving board was getting a lot of action. Everyone was enjoying the water and new amenities that were added along with the repairs.
Those amenities include an expanded deck area, shade structures and a “wet deck” with an interactive water feature.
Matt Crouse, director of Nixa Parks and Recreation, said the new space was needed and so was additional shade, a top request of patrons in the past. More than 35,000 people use the pool annually.
More features for the smallest swimmers
The wet deck, where the water deepens from 0 to 5 inches, now has a play area for small children. At its center, a brightly-colored interactive feature showered water in multiple directions and kids squealed as they used the orange slide.
“It’s very nice,” said Danielle White, while she smeared sunscreen on her 3-year-old grandson’s face. “They did a good job.”
Bryson Simmons waited patiently during the sunscreen application, then quickly headed into the water with his grandpa, Thomas White.
“We love the water,” Bryson said, shyly.
His mom, Amberlyn Simmons, said she likes the kids’ play area and was happy to see additional space for children Bryson’s age.
“We love the Nixa pool,” she said, while feeding 8-month-old Penelope. “It just feels very safe and secure.”
Splash pad to open next summer
In 2025, pool users will have even more reason to like the Nixa Aquatics Center. Construction begins later this summer on a splash pad, a $500,000 project.
The Nixa Aquatics Center is open 1-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Splash Time is 10-11:15 a.m. Monday-Thursday and lap swim is 8 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday.
Admission is $5 for residents and $3 for non residents ages 3 and older. The cost drops to $3 for the evening sessions that begin at 6 p.m. Season passes and punch card rates are also available.
Along with managing the aquatics center, Nixa Parks and Recreation offers a variety of facilities, events, sports and activities. Learn more on the Nixa Parks and Recreation website.
