The Charleston Rotary Community Aquatic Center, located at 920 17th St., opens Monday to provide fun for students during the hot summer days.

The pool will be open Monday through Saturday noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Some of the aquatic center’s features include an Olympic-size pool with lap lanes and a slide pool with a diving well and two diving boards.

Gena Bunch, aquatic facility supervisor, provided more information about the aquatic center.

“Although college students usually want to soak up the sun, we have large umbrellas for those that want to relax in the shade,” Bunch said.

According to Bunch, some of the events that the center offers include Summer Splash (a radio event), a lifeguard competition, and swim team meets.

“If none of that suits you, then we invite you to create your own (event) by renting the pool and Putt-N-Swing for a pool party,” Bunch said.

Daily admission for those 10 or older is $4, but individual summer passes can be purchased at the discount price of $70 prior to the pools opening on Monday and for $80 anytime following.

Bunch said buying a punch card is another option. The card is $30 and can be used for ten visits or 10 different people.

“If you and four friends go in on it together, it saves you $1 a visit and you could use it for the group two times,” Bunch said.

Some students around campus have gone to the center before with their friends.

Bryce Horath, a senior exercise science major, said he went to the aquatic center last year with his roommate, who hit his head while diving. Besides his friend’s accident, most of his experiences with swimming at the center have been positive.

Others who have not been to the aquatic center have had past experiences with swimming at other pools.

Amanda Ponkauskas, a senior music education major, said she has been to the public pool in her hometown of Brodhead, Wis.

“Our pool was open from noon to eight, and I swam on the swim team, so I was there early when I practiced at ten,” she said. “I would finish practice and wait for the pool to open, and I’d be at the pool until at least three o clock.”

Kristina Denham, a sophomore math major, has had mostly positive experiences at the pool in her hometown of Gurnee, Ill., but said she doesn’t have time to go swimming in Charleston.

Horath said he is going to be here all summer and the pool will give him something to do.

“I have a pool at my house, so it will definitely makes me feel more at home,” he said.

The aquatic center is located off of 18th Street across from Monical’s Pizza.

Students can contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 345-6897or the aquatic center after May 31 at 345-3249for more information.

Alesha Bailey can be reached at 581-7942 or ambailey2@eiu.edu.