You’re on a Mission!

THE LONG-AWAITED OPENING OF THE PALM BEACH GARDENS AQUATIC COMPLEX FINALLY ARRIVED OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. AFTER MISSING THE LAST COUPLE OF SUMMERS, CROWDS EAGERLY SHOWED UP FOR THE BIG REVEAL.

Summertime and public pools go together like peanut butter and jelly. Many childhood memories are dotted with fun moments with friends and maybe brave moments on the diving board. We spoke with some Palm Beach Gardens residents to find out their favorite things about the improved Aquatic Complex. One thing is for sure, there is a ripple effect of excitement moving through everyone who sees the redesigned facility.

You’re on a Mission!

Although they are no strangers to the Aquatic Complex, sisters Madi Buble and Brooke Bailey have returned to the facility this summer on a mission. The pair began the Junior Lifeguard Camp and plan to participate every week in order to become official lifeguards once they are old enough.

“We want to be able to do this as a job when we’re 15”, says Madi. “I’ve learned different lifeguard drills and CPR. How to help people in the water if they are drowning. Getting them out of the water using techniques.”

As Gardens residents, both girls have participated in Camp Gardens in the past. They’ve grown up around the pool over the years but are excited about the changes they’ve returned to this summer.

“I’m really enjoying camp”, says Brooke. “And I’m excited about the new pool.”

You’re Fearless!

The Coate and Quinlivan brothers arrive at the PBG Aquatic Complex for the day. First order of business? Take the assigned swim test where lifeguards judge your swimming skills and award you a coveted wristband. That band is your ticket to ride and dive on several more advanced apparatuses at the pool.

Once their wristbands were in place, the boys headed straight for the diving board.

“I thought it was pretty easy”, Caden Quinlivan says of the swim test. “I wasn’t nervous, because I did it before.”

Once at on the diving board, sometimes best laid plans go out the window. The adrenaline begins to rush and, suddenly, that dive well looks pretty deep. The pressure is on and all of your friends are watching you.

“I was nervous on the diving board,” admits nine-year-old Brooks Coate. “I dived more forward and did a back flop.”

It’s Just the Right Vibe

Ashley Quinlivan and Samantha Coate rest comfortably on a set of lounge chairs while their boys line up to complete their swim tests. From where they sit, they have a front row seat to the activity. Both families live not too far away. Ashley has lived in Palm Beach Gardens for three years, while Samantha has grown up in the area for the past twenty years. They are both huge fans of the new renovations, especially the layout which allows for a great vantagepoint of the leisure swim area and dive well.

“It’s awesome”, Samantha says. “I like how they redesigned it so you are close to the kids. It has a resort style, and the bright colors are nice.”

A Place You Can Grow

On a particularly hot day, we ran into Andrew Morris and his daughter Hope. The two are enjoying a bit of daddy & daughter time which, among other things, involves him playing personal assistant as he administers a layer of sunblock. As new Gardens residents, when they moved into the City the Complex was already under renovation. Today’s visit is their second to the pool this season.

Andrew says, “It’s great for her age. Just the right size to feel comfortable. She is still working up the nerve to do the big slide,” he says smiling. “For now, she feels safe on the playground.”

With so much to choose from, Hope has found her comfort zone at the splash playground and in the shallow, leisure swim area with spray feature.

For information on operating hours and Aquatic programs, visit www.pbgfl.com/aquatics.