The Jones Aquatic Center is enjoying a successful swimming season this year, with attendance numbers that might rival the center’s record by the time the season ends in August. Free swimming for children, starting next week, won’t hurt.
Total attendance numbers so far this year are up to 11,098, and with about three weeks left in the season, it could be close to 2002’s record attendance. As of this time that summer, the center saw an attendance of 17,582.
“We’re pretty happy with the numbers we have at the aquatic center,” said Tom McEvoy, director of the Lee Beran Recreation Center. “... It’s been a busy summer so far.”
The slowest summer for the center was 2007, with a mid-July attendance of about 3,500 people.
Attendance at the center will go up later in the month with a promotion that was a success last year and is being continued this year, thanks to the generosity of NASCAR driver and Emporia native Clint Bowyer.
Bowyer and the Emporia Community Foundation last year set up a program offering free admission for children at the center, and attendance skyrocketed.
From Monday through Aug. 12, children under 15 years old will be able to swim for free.
“It was really nice of Clint and the Emporia Community Foundation to do that for the kids in town,” McEvoy said. “We’re expecting big crowds.”
The Emporia Recreation Commission has seen successes in its other summer programs as well, including the SummerScape program, softball and the baseball academy.
“We have about 41,000 people that have participated in an activity in June,” McEvoy said. “And being short two full-time staff members, it’s been tight.”
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
Again, thank you to Clint Bowyer for his generous donation!
July 22, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
Thank you Clint for helping make a trip to the pool with the family a little less painful on the pocketbook! What a generous gift to Emporia.
July 22, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawks422 (anonymous) says...
If Clint doesn't have a key to the City of Emporia...he should...it's really nice to see that he hasn't forgot about his roots...Thanks a lot Clint for all you do!!!
July 22, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yaya (anonymous) says...
Thanks Clint Bowyer!
I know alot of little kids who are going to have a blast, splishing and splashing, to summers end!
Main Street would look mighty handsome with #33 Cheerios Flags flying. (I would donate one to the cause) Just an idea!
July 22, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
paulkersey (anonymous) says...
"Attendance at the center will go up later in the month with a promotion that was a success last year and is being continued this year, thanks to the generosity of NASCAR driver and Emporia native Clint Bowyer."
Generosity...I prefer the term "bail-out." (Yes, it was really nice of him to do this, before I get slammed)
This water-park is a joke! It was built in the middle of nowhere (literally), and almost closed last year. Yes, it IS a really nice water park, but whoever thought of building it where it resides is an idiot.
July 23, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )