Who knew Santa had time during the busy holiday season to don his snazzy Hawaiian swimsuit and take a dip at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center in Lawrence, Kan., this year’s Class 3 winner?
Well, evidently Santa knows how to pick his pools. The state-of-the-art, $9.3 million indoor facility opened in June 2001, lets the jolly holiday man slide down water slides, bounce off diving boards and frolic with the boys and girls in the zero-depth play area during the Santa Splash Party — all while a competition is held in the Olympic-sized pool beyond the sectioned area.
The indoor facility, built on land donated by the Lawrence School District, was designed to accompany the older outdoor facility, also upgraded with play features and water slides. Together, the two offer swimming lessons, swim teams, water polo, SCUBA program, diving, water therapy and water aerobics.
And what better way to end the summer season than sharing the great facility with a furry buddy at the annual Pooch Plunge? Every year, dogs are invited with owners to swim in the outdoor pool the day after the outdoor season ends. This year, more than 250 dogs took a swim to bid farewell to summer. That’s one big doggy paddle.
