After weather delays, Helena's Last Chance Splash finally opens for summer
Sophia D’Ambrosio braces for a splash Wednesday at the Last Chance Splash Waterpark and Pool on its belated opening day.
Thom Bridge, thom.bridge@helenair.com
Jordan Erb, The Independent Record
The smell of sunscreen and chlorine hung thick in the air at Last Chance Splash Waterpark and Pool Wednesday. After being delayed two days, the water park finally opened for its 2018 summer season.
“It’s fun,” said 8-year-old Sophia D’Ambrosio. “We get to go swimming!”
D’Ambrosio was among the crowds of energetic kids playing without even the slightest worry; to stop would be to interrupt the fun. As she stood talking, she dropped her arms to her sides and shifted her weight from foot to foot, her eyes begging the eternal question of a busy kid: “Can I go now?”
She was there with a camp from the YMCA, as were many others. Krista Hamilton and Puja Smith of the Helena Athletic Club also brought a group of kids to the opening day. It was their first pool field trip of their 11-week camp, and as they always are, the kids were ready.
“They definitely look forward to it every week,” Hamilton said.
Last Chance Splash Waterpark and Pool will be open until Aug. 25.
Thom Bridge, thom.bridge@helenair.com
Nicole Gleason and her kids had been waiting since Monday to go to the water park, and they were excited to finally make it to the pool. Despite lingering clouds and cool weather, to get out of the house as a family was worth it.
“(The kids) were all really disappointed, because we had kind of been planning it,” Gleason said. “We like to do family date nights and that was supposed to be part of our family day out, so they were pretty bummed. But today isn’t too bad. It’s awesome to get out of the house. Especially with so many kids, it’s nice to be able to get out of the house and have a place to go to.”
Cody Rapley, aquatics program manager at Helena Parks and Recreation, knows that delays in the start to summer fun can be inconvenient, but that the rest of the season will make up for it.
“I think Helena kind of understands that it’s June and our weather is what it is,” Rapley said. “Most people have been pretty understanding. We just hope for as best weather as we can get and a happy, fun atmosphere for the pool this summer.”
Last Chance Splash Waterpark and Pool will be open until Aug. 25. Lap swim is available Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Open swim is available Monday through Friday from 12:15 p.m. until 7 p.m., and on weekends from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Swim lessons are available in the mornings Monday through Thursday, with 30-minute sessions from 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. All morning sessions are group lessons, and last for two weeks. The cost for Helena residents is $32; the cost for nonresidents is $40.
Evening lessons are available Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 30-minute sessions from 4 p.m. until 6:50 p.m. All night sessions are group lessons, and last four weeks. The cost for Helena residents is $32; the cost for nonresidents is $40.
The pool will also host two Lions swim meets, the first from June 29 to July 1, and the second on July 28 and 29.