The Marietta Aquatic Center Is Reopening

MARIETTA, OH — The Marietta Aquatic Center is almost ready to reopen. This week the city announced that they would hold a grand reopening on May 29. Susan Joyce is Office and Recreation Manager. "We will be open on that Saturday for the season. We'll be open from 12-6, and we have Friday Night Family Night Swim, where rates are a little bit cheaper."

Live in Marietta? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow Marietta Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

Mayor Josh Schlicher says he's excited that they're going to be reopening this year. "We're doing a pretty expansive renovation to the facility." He says they're going to be work done on the building and the attractions. "All the slides, steps, everything's going to get completely sandblasted and repainted." All the equipment is going to be carefully checked and calibrated. We can expect new tables, canopies, and landscaping.

The aquatic center didn't even have a chance to open in 2020. Schlicher says they ran the numbers every way they could, and there would have been no way to do it safely and not lose a lot of money.

There had been some work done during the pandemic. "We've done some concrete work over the winter. Replaced some things." We can even expect parking to improve. "It was built in 2004 and since then hasn't seen substantial maintenance." The city had budgeted about $60,000 to work on this project, but Mayor Schlicher says they were able to use city labor to cut that figure roughly in half.

There is going to be a flurry of work going on at the aquatic center in the coming months to prepare for a grand reopening. The mayor says folks should see a fresh, newly polished facility.

Joyce said it was time for that work. "The pirate ship needed some work. The bottom of the pool needed some work. We're just trying to give it a little facelift."

Joyce explained that while they expect things to be ready to go by May 29, there's the health guidelines issue hanging over everyone's heads. "We have to wait until the health department gets with us." She says the distancing is an issue they're ironing out, but people are just ready. "The kids need this, so it's time. We will be opening."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Marietta Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of our latest sponsors? Email any and all inquiries to me at christopher.schmitt@patch.com