Jump in

Jump in! Jump in!

Jump in! Jump in!

BY ANGELINA PARRIS WHEELER AND CHARLES ARMENDARIZ

FAMILY & MWR AQUATIC CENTERS

Splash into TWENTY TWENTY-ONEderful!

The pools are open and entrance is free! 2020 can take a dip and 2021 will float above the rest with new aquatic programming coming in waves! We’ve all had our share of challenges this past year and the swimming pools were in the depths of it. The past swim season was filled with disappointment: limited programming, facility restrictions, mask mandates and no summer pool fun. This left the aquatics team with a bummer summer!

However, Fort Bliss swam it’s way to the top by finding innovated ways to keep the pools open for Active Duty, retirees and adult DoD ID cardholders. Aquatic facility operations will continue to follow all COVID guidance, as we move forward in the hopes of opening with more capacity soon!

Fort Bliss MWR’s aquatic centers are here to accommodate your fitness needs for 2021! Fort Bliss offers 18 and older lap swimming, by reservation, at two major indoor pools. To make a reservation, call either Aquatics Training Center (ATC) or Replica Pool. One day in advance is required.

Looking to do unit military training such as Combat Water Survival Training (CWST) and swim testing? For more information about CWTS, call ATC at 915-744-5901.

The ATC, located on East Bliss, is a one-of-akind indoor aquatic training facility housing three different pools. The Olympic sized 50-meter lap pool is two pools in one! Separated by a bulkhead, making two 25-meter pools, eight lanes are available for lap swimming. The 13ft diving well and multi-purpose pool with a zero depth entry is open for military training through email request only (climbing wall and diving board are currently closed).

Replica Pool, located on main post, is an indoor swimming facility featuring an Olympic-sized 50-meter pool with four lanes available.

All indoor pool hours extend from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday with modified hours for training and federal holidays.

At this time, the two seasonal outdoor facilities are unavailable, but are tentatively projected to open by summer 2021.

Keep a look out for year-round events happening at both aquatic centers. There’s the 100-Mile Swim Club, track your miles and win a prize when you join the club! You’ll receive a t-shirt if you complete the 100 miles and prizes will be awarded for the top three individuals with the most miles by Dec. 31, 2021.

Let’s not forget about the monthly Aqua Challenge! Every month pick a distance and challenge yourself in the pool! It’s $5 per challenge, per person. You must complete the distance of your choice for a prize, you’ll receive a certificate of completion, distance coin and goodie bag. Sign up at either aquatic centers, credit or debit can only be accepted.

If you’re looking to for a job, make your splash in 2021! Both aquatic centers are hiring recreation aids and lifeguards, visit usajobs. gov.

For more information, call ATC at 915-7415901 or Replica Pool at 915-568-7431.

BY NATALIE HINOJOS

FAMILY & MWR MARKETING

The sun is starting to shine more and more! With warmer days ahead, Biggs Park is getting ready to open up their newest addition … The Splash Pad!

Currently under construction, the Splash Pad is moving quickly to get ready for the summer! It will have three sections, a toddler bay, family bay and pre-teen bay.

Each section will have different activities for the whole family to enjoy. There’s even going to be a dumping bucket! What’s a dumping bucket, you ask? Water will fill a large suspended bucket and when it’s heavy enough, it will pour on everyone who’s standing below it, what fun! Along with the water bucket, there will be 18 to 20 other features like ground sprayers, and pole sprayers.

The best part of the Splash Pad addition is that it’s FREE to use! There are also no capacity limitations like the old Splash Park. So, how is all this possible? Thanks to the Fort Bliss Quality Recycling Program, MWR received over $750K to remove the old structure and create this new, awesome addition to Biggs Park.

“Because of the great job the Fort Bliss Community does utilizing recycling, projects like this can be built,” said Eric Hildreth, chief of Community Recreation Division (CRD). “It’s projected to open Memorial weekend.”

“This new Splash Park is a reflection of how the Fort Bliss community cares for the environment. It is the result of what our community can accomplish when we all RECYCLE RIGHT! The proceeds from recycling were provided to Family, Morale, Welfare & Recreation to build this Spray Park to enhance the quality of life for our Soldiers and Families,” said Terri Smythe, Fort Bliss Recycling project manager. “The Fort Bliss Qualified Recycling Program Committee members thank all of those who continue to do their part and recycle right! So remember, ‘if the container is blue, place paper, cardboard (flattened), plastics and tin in any blue recycling bin.’ Because the more recycling you do, the more comes back to you in other projects and activities.”

The Splash Pad will be following COVID-19 guidelines for the safety of all patrons. The hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Get ready to head to the park for some cool water fun!