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Aquatic Centers of Normal

The Normal Parks and Rec department has two of the premier aquatic centers in Central Illinois, Fairview Family Aquatic Center and Anderson Aquatic Center. Both pools have many entertaining features including slides, diving boards and splash pads for the kids. Fairview and Anderson have clean concessions areas with a variety of snacks to choose from, ranging from ice cream to hot dogs. Both facilities are family friendly and an amazing place to take the kids or go with friends on a hot summer day. 

Fairview Family Aquatic Center

FFAC

Located just outside the Illinois State campus and on Main Street of Normal, Fairview is the busier of the two facilities. Fairview is also a tad larger than Anderson with 5 slides including two drop slides, a body slide, tube slide and the infamous speed slide that has a drop of 35 feet. A diving board is located next to the drop slides that allow guests to fall into the 12 feet of water. The main slides are a short walk up a flight of stairs where guests can choose between getting down from the 35 foot platform on the body slide, on a tube on the tube slide or in a matter of seconds on the insanely fast speed slide. The slide pool is only a depth of 36 inches, meaning young children over the height of 40 inches are still allowed to ride the slides. 

The main pool in FFAC (Fairview Family Aquatic Center) is a not-so-deep depth of 5 feet. Guests can play games with their family and friends while other guests can use the roped off area made for lap swimming to get in their daily workout. The main pool is connected to the zero-depth area allowing easy access for small children who wish to get in and out of the pool. 

Although Fairview is used more by the thousands of college and high school students in Bloomington/Normal, it also has a splash pad area with multiple features that provide hours of entertainment for younger children. There are even more to do for kids in the zero-depth area connected to the main pool which includes a small polar bear slide and other water features. Kids will also love being able to play in the sand just outside the facilities beach volleyball court. The fenced in sand area allows for younger children to use their imagination to build incredible sand castles, and even try to dig to China if they so desire. The court itself is used commonly to play pick-up or organized volleyball games. Volleyballs are also available to be borrowed from the front desk if needed. 

Around the pools are plenty of areas for guests to get some sun, or sit in the shade with plenty of seating and lawn chairs available on the pool decks. The concessions area is also shaded too ensure the ice available at the concessions stand does not melt as soon as it is bought. The concessions area is open the same hours as the pool. 

 

Fairview Renovations

Fairview will undergo a $128,000 renovation which will be ready for the 2016 summer swimming season. The renovations will include the removal of the diving board and current drop slides which will then be replaced with brand new and up-to-date slides. The Aquatics Director Angela Malone hopes the new slides will create another reason for guests to come and spend their day at the pool. Along with the slides, shaded areas on top of the new drop slides and the current major slides will be added to help protect the lifeguards of the pool and the patrons from prolong exposure to the sun's rays. The current polar bear slide located in the zero-depth pool will be removed and replaced as it is cracked and run its course as a part of the pool and the facility.

 

Anderson Aquatic Center

 

Anderson Aquatic Center is located on College Avenue, just inside the campus area of Illinois State University. Smaller than its counter-part, Fairview, Anderson is a much more family-friendly facility. It has a much larger splash pad with many more features, which are located on the south side of the facility. The splash pad has two small slides and many water features allowing for hours of entertainment for children. Just outside the splash-pad there are plenty of shaded areas for parents to watch their kids play from. 

The main pool is split into two, one side reaches a depth of 5 feet and allows for plenty of room for families and friends to play water games. The other side of the pool reaches a depth of 12 feet is used for the olympic diving board. 

There are two large slides at Anderson Aquatic Center, both body slides that reach a height of 20 feet. Friends and family can race down the slides as they are about the same length and speed. The slide pool is also split into two, one side is used for the exit of those who reached the bottom of the slide while the other side is a leisure pool for those who do not want to be in the more crowded main pool area. 

Anderson also has a Concessions area which allow for plenty of room to take a break and eat lunch and snacks. 

 

Private Rentals

Large groups or parties can rent the pool for a the night and have the entire facility to themselves. All reservations after the pools open for the season must be made at the aquatic facility being rented. For reservation information before pool opens, contact the Normal Parks & Recreation office at (309) 454-9540. 

Fees:	Up to 100	Up to 200	Up to 300
Fairview & Anderson	$400	$600	$750

• 50% deposit required at the time of reservation

• The concession stand can be added for an additional $25/hour plus the cost of food

 

Birthday Parties

Birthday parties can be scheduled for large groups and parties with packages that can be ordered at the Aquatic Center where the birthday party is to take place.

Package 1 Admission, cookie, drink and balloon for each child. $65/$90
Package 2 Admission, cupcake, ice cream cup, drink and balloon for each child. $80/$120 
Package 3 Admission, slice of pizza or hot dog, cupcake, ice cream cup drink and balloon for each child. $100/$140 

• All birthday parties include admission for up to 10 people (children and adults). Maximum party size is 20 children. Additional adults must pay regular pool admission fees.

• All parties are scheduled for 2 hours which include free swim as well as time at the birthday table. Games can be provided upon request. Parties are geared toward 6-12 year olds.

• Birthday group will have a reserved table in the birthday area of the concession stand at Fairview or their own party room at Anderson.

• Birthday child will receive a T-shirt.

• Each birthday group will have a hostess that will set things up, cater to the groups needs and even do all the clean up!!

• Birthday parties must be scheduled during public swim hours, Noon to 8 p.m.

• Reservations must be made in person at the pool.

• All birthday parties must be paid in full when the reservation is made. Visa/Master cards are accepted at the pool.

• Birthday cake may be brought in, however, all other outside food and drinks are prohibited.