OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s irrelevant if you’ve lived in Florida for 100 days or 100 years, everyone knows the summertime weather in the Sunshine State can be described in one word… hot.

Most of the time, it’s unbearably hot. It’s the human equivalent of cranking the oven to 350 Fahrenheit, throwing in a lasagna, and letting it burn to a crisp.

The most seasoned Floridians know the best way to use the powerful sun rays is to combine it with some poolside activities.

The only problem is not all of us have a pool. We don’t all have the luxury of a beach like our friends on the coasts, either. The closest beach to my location in Gainesville is Shired Island in Dixie County, a 50-mile drive from the swamp to the sea just to see the shoreline.

In retrospect, this can pose a problem.

The City of Ocala see this problem and knows the exact remedy. Later this month, the city will be re-opening its two Aquatic Fun Centers just in time to beat the summer heat.

Locations

  • Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center, 2390 SE 36th Ave., will open Saturday, May 18, for two sessions only. Beginning Saturday, May 25, the facility will be open seven days a week.
  • Hampton Aquatic Fun Center, 255 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. opens Saturday, May 25, seven days a week.

Hours

  • Sundays and Mondays will have afternoon sessions only, 2 to 5 p.m.
  • Tuesdays through Saturdays will offer two sessions, a morning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an afternoon session from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Both facilities will be open seven days a week during the season.
  • Holiday hours will be available this year on Independence and Memorial Day this year, offering morning and afternoon swimming sessions.

Admission

Admission for a single session is $2 for children ages 17 and under and $3.50 for adults ages 18 and up.

New Features

The city says it has a bevy of brand-new amenities to enhance the experience at the aquatic centers. The upgraded features include:

  •  New slides, featuring double flumes and a sunshade at the top of the slide entry
  •  Each aquatic center has spray features, a waterfall, and waterslides
  • Each pool has zero-inch depth entry for easy access with a maximum depth of five and a half feet and are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

Outside coolers, drinks or food will not be allowed inside the centers. Concessions are available for sale.

For more information on the Aquatic Fun Centers, click here.