Updates on construction, staffing, operations and more

Updates on construction, staffing, operations and more

Grand opening: Date coming soon!

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) is on track to open its first year-round, indoor swimming facility in early spring. Watch for a save-the-date announcement for the grand opening for both the aquatics center and the renovated fitness center, as soon as a date is confirmed. In the meantime, read on to find out what’s in store in the coming weeks, as final construction and facility preparations take place.

Construction

MPRB staff are expected to move into the aquatics center early in March, after it is certified for occupancy by the City of Minneapolis at the end of February. The building contractor and consultants are wrapping up work inside the building, including some projects that expanded the scope of the building project, but also added value.

Those include modernizing the 40-year-old elevator and making accessibility improvements in the pool spectator area. This work provides access to the spectator area, benefits other tenants and visitors at the Phillips Community Center, and ensures that the spectator area itself is accessible to everyone.

Another involves security systems for the aquatics center. Consultants are refining the design of these systems, which is a complicated process for a new, one-of-a-kind facility that will operate in a multi-use building. However, ensuring the safety of everyone using the aquatics center is a priority. 

Staffing and operations

MPRB is hiring and training a full-time aquatics specialist and five full-time lifeguards to work at the aquatics center. Part-time jobs for lifeguards and customer service/aquatics attendants are also available online and will be promoted at a job fair at the community center in March.

Meanwhile, current MPRB staff are developing and implementing an operations and maintenance program to make sure the aquatics center runs smoothly and efficiently from its first day serving the public.

Programming

Final details are in the works for a variety of aquatics programs: swim lessons; open swim for families, seniors, teens; water aerobics; dedicated swim times for a range of groups; and much more. Following MPRB’s mission and philosophy, all programs are based on the following objectives:

• Promote water safety and teach people of all ages and skill levels to swim
• Respond to community needs and desires, including women-only swim opportunities
• Offer citywide programs for recreational, fitness and competitive swimming, including opportunities for school athletics, lifeguard training and swim clubs

Aquatics programs will be published online in mid-February, and registration begins at the end of February.  

Share this email and stay tuned for more updates!

Please share this email with friends, family, neighbors and others to help spread the word about the new aquatics center.

Updates in coming weeks will include information on aquatics center programs and registration, dates for an open house event and grand opening celebration, and more.

MPRB welcomes everyone to make a splash at the Phillips Aquatics Center this spring!

Media Inquiries

Robin Smothers
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Phone: 612-230-6410
Email: rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org