New after-hours swim sessions start this week at Bradenton area’s Lincoln Aquatic Center
One year after its opening, the Lincoln Aquatic Center is extending swim hours every other Thursday evening beginning this week through the end of July.
The pools and water play areas at the facility will be open for a third daily swim session on:
- June 15 from 5-6:30 p.m.
- June 29 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- July 13 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- July 27 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Located in Palmetto on 715 17th St. East, the facility will still be open during regularly scheduled daily swim sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m., according to a press release sent by the Manatee County Government.
Manatee County pools and splash pads are currently free for visitors, and there is no entry fee, according to the release.
The decision to extend hours comes after the facility has regularly seen large crowds.
John S. Linxwiler with the Manatee County Department of Public Safety said in the release that the center has welcomed up to 170 guests within the first 10 minutes of opening on many days.
The Lincoln Aquatic Center features
- two swirly water slides
- a zero-entry pool (sloped on one side like a beach)
- wet playground for young swimmers
- 25-yard swimming pool for local competitions.
In order to attend the swim sessions, the facility requires:
All guests to wear swimwear
All children under the age of 13 to take a swim test with a lifeguard before going in the pool if they do not plan to wear a life jacket. If they do not pass the test, which entails the child swimming one length of the pool wall or demonstrating they can float on their back, the child will be provided with a life jacket.
An adult 18 years of age or older to be within arms reach of any child wearing a life jacket the entire time they are in the facility. The adult is also required to be present in the water with the child in either the lap pool or play structure.
All swimmers are at least 48 inches to go down the slides.
For more information about rules and requirements, visit the Lincoln Aquatic Center website.
This story was originally published June 14, 2023 at 11:12 AM.