First Time Visiting The New Lawton Aquatics Center: A Review

Firstly,  I just want to admit that I may be a little bias, seeming since my two sisters and I practically had this place to ourselves. But that wasn't because of any person in particular or money struck deal.

No, we just chose to stick out the sprinkling storms yesterday in Lawton and honestly, I'm surprised more people hadn't. The admissions folks told us we made a total of seven visitors on Monday, August 25.

That allowed all of us to really enjoy everything the Center had to offer without having to fight for room. I also took into consideration some advice posted on the Lawton Grapevine from folks who'd visited the center the first week it had been opened.

Personally, I think Lawton hit the nail on the head with this build.

Undoubtedly, my personal favorites were the lazy river and the blue waterslide, I wasn't brave enough to give the orange one a try. But, according to the sister that did, she had an absolute blast on it.

We watched as the other two guests dove off of the high and low diving boards and let's just say they enjoyed themselves so much, they couldn't stop jumping.

The lifegaurds were chilly to say the least, but they were still so ready to work. In fact, I watched as a gentleman, who I assumed was the supervisor, went around asking workers if they wanted to go home early. I overheard two of the lifegaurds tell him "no way, you should already know my answer."

Despite how cold they were, or bored out of their minds they must've been, they still sported a smile and a good attitude when we approached them to ask questions or even just in passing.

On one hand, I'm sad to see that more Lawtonians aren't visiting this place during the week - which is debatably the best time to actually enjoy the space. On the other hand, the lack of people also means things are staying together pretty darn well.

The showers and bathrooms are still like new. The slides, tubes, and even the volleyball net are still in great shape.

There are only two very major downfalls we've seen so far for the Lawton Aquatics Center.

One of which, we came prepared for thanks to other visitors who've made comments on the Lawton Grapevine Facebook group. Unfortunately, the center's concession stand is closed during the week and very limited on the weekends.

Although you're not allowed to bring outside food and only water inside the park, folks have recommended bringing your own food and leaving it in an ice chest in the car. Since they use wristbands for guests, you're able to go outside to your vehicle, eat and drink what you like, and re-enter afterwards.

The only other major downside I've seen for the park is the lack of ability to communicate with the center itself. When it began to rain earlier in the day, I actually had to stop by just before they opened to ask the staff if they'll be open.

The good news is that they have one answer for every storm situation: "unless it's lightning, we're open."

But as some folks have found out, Saturdays are an incredibly congested day for the park. Just last week, they reached max capacity, according to statements on Facebook.

Currently, there is not a way to check with them to see if they are at max capacity before traveling to the facility. You simply just have to show up and find out or reach out to the City of Lawton. Be prepared for the phones to be busy, though, as they were when I called before out visit.

But you know what, even if you have to wait for others to leave, it seems worth the wait to me. Or you can be like us and come when hardly anyone else is there.

According to Caitlin Gatlin from the City of Lawton, the city is going to try and keep the Center open until the end of September, weather permitting. So you still have a little over a month left to enjoy the new Center before they close.

What did you think of the Aquatics Center when you visited? Tell me through the app!

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