Temperatures are rising and residents are searching for ways to stay cool and beat the heat.
This means water-related activities are becoming a regular occurrence in the community. As such, the Jones Aquatic Center has been full regularly for the past several weeks after it reopened to the public earlier this month. Emporia Recreation Commission Aquatics Supervisor Jennifer Wegener says the large steady stream of patrons is likely a combination of individuals trying to stay cool and also those who are making up for lost time after the pool was shut down all of last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wegener says it is great to have a high volume of residents back inside the aquatic center, however, she says it has been difficult on their staff as they are still low on employees at this time. She says there are some who are working every day at the pool and while management is doing their best to keep them cool and help alleviate the workload, the heat and work schedule is taxing on their staff.
Business is likely to continue at its current pace with temperatures set to remain in the high 90’s and above in the coming days with a high of 100 forecasted for Thursday. The Aquatic Center is open weekdays from 1 to 6 pm daily.
Another highly popular location for children and families during the sweltering heat has been the Emporia Splash Pad at Peter Pan Park. The pad reopened to the public last month and has also seen a high volume of residents stopping through to splash around.
The splash pad is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 8 pm and Mondays from noon to 8 pm.
