Cumming Aquatic Center Opens Wednesday, June 22, For Viewing and Tours
The aquatic center will open for viewing and self tours of the facility on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It officially opens on Monday, June 27, at 6 a.m. and admission will be free.
The much anticipated $13 million Cumming Aquatic Center swings open its doors Wednesday, June 22 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for viewing and self tours of the facility, according to Greg Little, Recreation and Parks director.
The official opening date will be Monday, June 27, at 6 a.m. and admission will be free to the public–that day only.
Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt made the announcement official during Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
Little told the mayor and City Council, "What we are proposing is that we actually open the facility to the public beginning tomorrow morning (June 22) for tours and allow people to come inside and see the facility," he said.
Then on Thursday, June 23 through Saturday, June 25 the facility's front desk will open to the public for the sale of daily admissions, passes, registration for swim lessons and cabana rentals. Little pointed out that during these days the public is also welcomed to view and go on self-tours of the aquatic center. There will be staff stationed at all pools and available to answer questions.
The big day, of course, is Monday.
"What we are proposing tonight (June 21) is that we open our doors to the public with a full schedule of operations next Monday, the 27th," Little said.
Mayor Gravitt commended Little and his staff for getting the aquatic center open, despite the unforeseen delays.
"We appreciate what the staff has done," he said.
According to the aquatic center schedule–the operating hours for all pools are as follows:
Competition Pool opens from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Instructional Pool opens from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Leisure Pool opens from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Monday, June 27 only)
Following Monday's free admission day, the Leisure Pool's regular operating hours will include two swim sessions:
- Monday through Friday: Session One - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Session Two - 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday: Session One - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Session Two - 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
It's important to note that a separate admission fee will be applied for each session.
Daily admission fees will range between $2 and $5. Children under 2 get in free. Monthly passes will also be available ranging between $25 and $40. Annual passes will cost $150 to $225. Family passes are available with the price based on the number of family members ranging from $125 to $265.
For more information on operating hours and fees, call the Cumming Aquatic Center at 770-781-1781 or the Cumming Parks and Recreation Department at 770-781-2030.
Cindy
9:42 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
This is incredible news!!!
Neil Stapley
9:58 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Awesome can't wait.
Eddie Martin
10:20 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Will there be exercise classes for people with bad backs and has had several surgeries
on the back, neck and rotator cuffs?
Thanks,
Eddie Martin
Julieanne
11:13 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Memberships still all inclusive and still $225.00 a year. No discounts for disabled,students,and the military. Greg Little unwilling to give handicap people even the senior discount for the wheel chair accessible lap pool. Still no word from the mayor. I can not be the only one who has an ISSUE with the price tag.
Margaret
1:50 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I'm with you, Julieanne. See my post below about the REAL AND CORRECT pricing they're going to charge. It's ridiculous that we will have to be kicked out at 2 p.m. every day, then have to pay again to come back in and finish the day. What a bunch of greedy politicians! I guess they want to get the pool paid for in one season!
Neil Stapley
8:55 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Not wanting to seem unsensitive but why should the disabled get a discount. I can see an argument for the military they put their lives at risk everyday.
Margaret
11:16 am on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Most truly disabled people are trying to get by on just SSDI. A discount, for some of us, means being able to afford to use the facility. Also, with many disabilities, the only exercise we can physically do is water-based activities. We are not able to go use the (free) track at Fowler Park, or the (free) walking trails at other Forsyth County Parks. It is incredibly exciting to finally have a public water park facility open in the County, but if we're priced out of it because we can't afford it on our disability, what's the point? I hope the County rethinks the discount for Disabled, so that we can get some exercise, too. Please!!!
Julieanne
6:23 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
As MArgaret pointed out. Most people who are disabled like me are on SSDI. Cumming made this huge thing about having WHEELCHAIR Zero entrance pools for the disabled. WELL that's great if we could afford to get in to USE IT. The pool is already paid for by SPLOST. There is no reason at all why the fees should be this high. It is very unfortunate because most people with disabilities are encouraged to exercise in water to keep from loosing muscle mass. Cumming used the zero entrance disability pool to sell the Aquatic center to residents. Priced it to high for anyone's use. I MEAN really what if you Neil just want to use the lap pool. What if like ME you have no interest in this all inclusive package? Why should you have to pay for the kiddie slide? Mayor Gravitt does not have an address to write to. I have taken to calling him but obviously he's avoiding speaking to me.
Margaret
1:47 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I went by there today for a tour. Don't get too excited, folks. The prices in their brochoure are misleading. It says "DAILY ADMISSION": Adults - $5, Youth - $4, etc. However, what the prices really are, according to Greg Little, Parks & Rec Director, is $5 for Adults, either from 10 - 2 or 2:30 - 6:30, and Youth are $4 for the same time periods. Yes, they are going to kick everyone OUT OF THE FACILITY at 2 p.m. every day, and if you want to come back in for the afternoon, you have to PAY AGAIN!!!! So really, the rates for Daily Admission are $10 for Adults and $8 for Kids. WHAT A MAJOR RIPOFF!!!! I think I'll stick with Gwinnett County Parks dept pools. At least they're honest about their pricing!
Neil Stapley
10:44 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
My main point is that why should it be disabled people who get discounted rates low income families, unemployed where do you stop with the discounts There are discounts available with the passes. Where its alot for an up front payment the annual pass at $225.00 works out to be 62c per day or the 30 day pass at $40 is $1.33 these amounts will be less if you are over 60.
No one has been misleading anyone with there opening times They have had there opening times on the city of cummings website since Feb, 10-2 2.30-6.30 is for the out door pool area not the main pools and when it closes for the 30 mins they will not kick you out you can make use of the other pools and return back when it reopens.
Julieanne
3:43 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
@Neil I just want you to know I am writing this as a CONSERVATIVE disabled person. It is not my fault I am disabled. DISABILITY is NOT WELFARE. A person on welfare has an able body. They can take their able body and go get a job. IF I HAD AN ABLE BODY--I would have a job. The minute there is a cure for Multiple Sclerosis I will have a job right after the magic surgery. TILL THEN one must understand the vast difference between welfare and disability. I can at this moment not change being disabled as much as a person who is a senior citizen can change their age. AGAIN-I AM NOT ASKING FOR IT TO BE FREE... I NEVER ASKED THAT. What I did ask is and kind of expect was that I would be offered the Seniors fee. I WAS NOT. I was told that I had to pay the all inclusive fee. I only want to use the wheel chair accessible pool. I could care less about the wonder kids water park. Also there are NO DISCOUNTS OFFERED WITH ANY OF THE PASSES. NONE. ZERO. Students who Mr. Little used to teach and the #2 reason we as a city were sold the pool have no discount for their swim team. They already had a pool. Military. Don't you think our war veterans returning may need water therapy? Well apparently no one on the City Council does or there would have been a military discount. NO ONE IS ASKING FOR IT TO BE FREE. We are asking that our SPECIAL NEEDS be takin into account.
Neil Stapley
6:46 am on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Julieann.
I totally understand where you are coming and I never said you were asking it to be. My point is about fairness there are people on welfare or are unemployed and didnt asked to be through no fault of their own and yes there are people who could work who choose not to, but the same can be said for people who are on disability they should also be offered a discount to but they are not and for this reason I dont believe that there should be a senior discount either. If you intend to go on a regular basis are very reasonable at 1.33 per day for the 30 day pass vs the individual $5 is reasonable. Why are your special needs any more important than a veterans special needs or the 50yr old guy who had been working for GM for 30 years and has just been laid off and cant get a job because no one will hire him.
Julieanne
3:34 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
You don't believe in Senior discounts? REALLY? Seriously. Ok so now I know what I am dealing with. Correct me if I am wrong. YOU think that I am saying because I am disabled I won some kind of DISCOUNT lottery? NO --not at all. The reason Seniors get a discount is because they are on FIXED incomes. The same goes for people with disabilities. Fixed incomes. What does this mean. This means that what someone makes working at McDonald's in a week. I get a month from what I paid into for 20 years. THE repetitive point that you also MISS. Is that the Aquatic Center has a THERAPY POOL. A therapy pool is not a SPA. It is a pool designed for people with disabilities to work their muscles. People with disabilities often loose muscle mass. IT is a needed therapy that most people with disabilities can not afford. NOW--- IF this pool were private--for instance Lanier Islands Water Park-- then I would agree with you. HOWEVER, this pool was built with tax payer money. IT IS A CITY OWNED POOL. It should be affordable to all citizens who already paid taxes to build it. $225.00 is not a fair price for lap swimmers or therapy pool users. Again no one is asking for a free ride. This pool's price plan is going to fail. People who can afford $225.00 a year probably have their own pool in their back yard. I will be surprised if this pool last a year. The more I look at it and the situation surrounding it. I think it was just a pet project. Builders made money. THE END.
Margaret
8:05 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2011
Neil,
Although you "dont believe that there should be a senior discount either.", there is, in fact, a Senior discount available for this pool. I guess they figured that people over the age of 60 aren't inclined to use the kiddie pool, and will therefore limit themselves to the lap pool or therapy pool. So if the Seniors can have their discount (which happens to be the same price as kids) because they're not perceived as being customers of the full facility, why can't those of us who are disabled get the same price as they get? With my disability I can't even use the lap pool, much less the kiddie pool. I would LOVE to be able to go and use the therapy pool once in a while to work my muscles, but with an income of just over $1,100 a month to support a family of 3, the cost of a monthly pass ($40) isn't even close to being in my budget. I have a family member (who is retired) who could probably gift me $25 a month to use it, which is the senior discount amount, but $40 is a little too much for her. So, since I am on a fixed income (like the seniors), and would only be able to use the therapy pool (which is less than what most seniors would use) why not offer me the same discount they get? Do you really begrudge me the only possible exercise I can do because I can't afford regular rates? If that's the case, I feel sorry for you, and I pray that you never end up disabled and on a fixed income like me.
Neil Stapley
6:51 am on Friday, June 24, 2011
'Fixed incomes' - This is exactly my point there are multi groups of people who fall into this catagory which is why I brought up my point. If you are not going give that discount to all groups that fall into that catagory (Disabled senior, welfare and unemployed). What makes one group of peoples special needs more important than another, because someone is on welfare they are less important than you. The vast amount of people who are on welfare or unemployed don't want to be there (despite what Rand Paul and his tea party buddies try and make you believe). I agree with you there should be discounts, but discounts for all who fall into the fixed income catagory (income support, disabled or senior etc). If you are not going to do that then why have it at all.
If you feel that strongly about you should protest, start an action group get the media involved and get Greg Little to buckle negative press is always a good motivation for change. I doubt it will be fail just because disabled people are not getting get a discount.
I agree with you Cindy has missed the point nobody wants to be going round with their begging bowl saying please sir can I have somemore we are not living in a Charles Dickens novel.
Jennifer
8:49 am on Monday, June 27, 2011
How unsensitive can you people be...do you have any idea how much it costs to live and to be disabled? 1 out of every 110 children are being diagnosed with Autism ...that is one every 5 minutes . Do you know how much it costs to give someone the proper therapies and services they need so that they could be a successful person in society? How dare you say that most people just want SSI. This may be true of some people unethically collecting disability but not the case for the majority. Disabled people don't CHOOSE to be disabled. I am not just talking about children, but the many adults that are disabled. I agree the price is very expensive and really ridiculous. Don't go then!!! Tell all your friends not to go!! They will drop the price if no one goes!!
Larry Smith
4:28 pm on Monday, June 27, 2011
Personally I think it should be free to in county resident seniors and anyone handicapped... and I'm neither just to set the record.. but the whole 4 hour session and paying twice a day is bit much and is out of line with other county aquatic centers. I will just continue to drive to gwinett since they charge me $8 but they don't make me leave and come back in so for the same money why bother...
supermomtotwo
8:49 am on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
BTW- You can usually get your therapist to write you a script for water therapy and get to use the pool for free. Why don't you look in to that and do something about it? Actions speak louder than words! If your passionate about it.....only you can create the change!
supermomtotwo
8:51 am on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
I deleted my previous comment.....after reading it I realized it wasnt't very nice. I have lived in other cities and the price is in line with other aquatic facilities that have far less ameneties.
Margaret
11:19 am on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Even WITH a script from my doctor I would have to go to an organized therapy session, not just going to a pool. And do you really think that, if I showed up at the aquatic center with a script, that Greg Little is just gonna say "oh yeah, come on in for free"? NOT A CHANCE!!! I didn't ASK to be disabled, nor is it something I can change (unlike those on welfare or unemployed, like Neil keeps bringing up). All I'm asking for is the same discount that they're providing to seniors! Is that so much to ask?
S Hicks
11:28 am on Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Well, if going to an organized therapy session is what the doctor orders, apparently that is what you need - not to just go sit in a therapy pool. I realize that nobody WANTS to be disabled, and I am sorry for those who are, but everyone whether disabled or not has limitations on their income and would love a "discount" - Unfortunately, this beautiful new facility and the management don't feel that the price is too high and are not offering discounts to anyone except seniors. Like it was said earlier - don't like it?? Don't go. I have been told since I was a young child - life isn't fair, gotta just deal with it. I personally think that the price is quite reasonable - They have a lot of overhead that they have to pay for. I am just happy that this beautiful new facility is right here in our county for us to enjoy. If you love it - get a monthly or yearly pass and it will be very cheap to go.
Tony
6:31 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2011
WOW....you only been open 3 days and now you're closed b/c of something broke? Who's/What is in charge of this park? We went today to purchase a 90 days pass but if this is their future.....don't THINK SO.
Susie
4:39 pm on Thursday, July 14, 2011
Soooo disappointed in the policy to charge us twice to stay for the day! I'm a Forsyth resident, but by charging me double you have now equalled the price I pay for the West Gwinnett water park, which is much bigger and better. Such a disappointment to us residents - I hope you rethink this policy asap.
sherry
9:14 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2011
question - why does a non resident pay the same price that a resident does? I find that strange. As for the twice a day charge - maybe this is to prevent the same 900 people there at 10am, won't still be there at 2:30pm to allow other people to get in to use the facilities. I'm disappointed the outside pool isn't deeper to allow actual swimming. Why close down the city pool? why not resurface it and clean it up for use? I'd use it to swim, and I'd pay to use it
Holly
1:05 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2011
I think everyone should write a letter to the county commissioners office about the Aquatic Center pricing. It's enough that we pay a ridiculous amount in county taxes, but to charge twice for admission @ the Aqua Center is even more ridiculous and out of line with every other park in the metro Atl. area. As far as those arguing about disabled and seniors getting a discount, you should all be ashamed. Military and Seniors should be Free...The aquatic center should also offer free theraputic services to the injured military men and women. If the Aquatic center wants to charge anyone twice it should be out of resident people who don't pay into our county taxes. Residents should only have to pay once and non-residence twice. That should fix the problem. Don't forget to make a fuss with the county commisioner and mayer.
Neva
4:11 pm on Monday, August 1, 2011
Why would anyone start badmouthing A mayor who has done so much for the city of Cumming the last 40 years? I am assuming most of you who do this are not from Cumming originally. If you do not like how our politicians do things then move to the city of Cumming and run for mayor!
Kaytee Thomas
4:21 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
so if you buy a family annualpass, can you go at both times without paying anything extra?