By Chris Clemens
The Palm Desert Aquatic Center (PDAC), a one-of-its-kind water park in the Coachella Valley, remains open extended hours on July 4th until 10 p.m. giving guests an opportunity to swim and watch the City of Palm Desert fireworks display while keeping cool in the pool.
Valley residents and out of town visitors can enjoy the facility for recreational swim and water fun from 11 a.m. through the fireworks show, which takes place at about 9 p.m. Guests at the pool during the day can leave and return for the fireworks without an additional admission fee for the show, but should consider parking options due to expectations of a full parking lot and street closures at the facility after 4 p.m. Convenient shuttle buses are available adjacent to The Gardens on El Paseo at cross streets San Pablo and El Paseo, to and from Civic Center Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
While the pools will remain open after 7 p.m., the diving boards, slides and water play areas will be closed. The concession stand remains open through the evening with barbeque burgers, All-American hot dog and burger combo meals, pizza, nachos, traditional snacks, and fountain soda drinks (bringing outside food and drinks into the Aquatic Center is not allowed).
Admission on July 4th is the daily admission rate beginning at $2.50 to $4, depending on age, for Palm Desert residents with I.D.; or $3.75 to $6 for non-residents. While pools are monitored by trained lifeguards, children 6 years and younger must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult and must have an adult in the water if they are not swimmers.
PDAC’s daily summer hours for the recreational pool, slides and water play areas are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The center also offers swim lessons, lap swimming and water exercise classes. For more information visit www.pdpool.com or call (760) 565-7467. PDAC is located at 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive, behind Civic Center Park.
