Harvey WINJE /ALLEYNEWS | New, enlarged Entrance with canopy to the Phillips Community Center main entrance to enlarged, remodeled, Phillips Aquatic Center, Gymnasiums, and rented offices at 2323 11th Avenue.
The Phillips Aquatics Center opens in early spring.
By JULIE CONAGLIA
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) is on track to open its first year-round, indoor aquatics center in the heart of the Phillips Community.
Construction is wrapping up and facility preparations are underway inside the Phillips Community Center, where the Phillips Aquatics Center will have its own check-in desk. A grand-opening date will be announced soon for early spring ”“ likely just about a year following the 2017 groundbreaking.
The project includes renovation of a six-lane competition pool and spectator area, originally part of Phillips Junior High School, demolished in the 1980s. It also adds a new four-lane teaching pool, locker rooms and community room.
Dual pools will allow for a wide range of aquatics programs. “This is a one-of-a-kind facility in the park system, so we have many goals for programming,” says Tyrize Cox, assistant superintendent for MPRB”'s recreation division. “First and foremost is promoting water safety and teaching people of all ages and skill levels to swim. Other opportunities are a response to community needs and desires, such as women-only swim times. Adding to that are citywide programs for recreational, fitness and competitive swimming, including school athletics and swim clubs.”
In other words, the Phillips Aquatics Center will soon be bustling with activity. If you want to be a part of it, part-time jobs for customer service/aquatics attendants and lifeguards are available: Get details at minneapolisparks.org/jobs. And get ready to make a splash this spring!
