By Gina Holt
Enquirer contributor

FLORENCE - Rates for the city's long-anticipated new aquatic center are making a splash with the public.

PROPOSED RATES

Proposed season membership rates Florence resident family $200 Florence resident single $100 Florence resident senior $50 Nonresident family $350 Nonresident single $175 Nonresident senior $85 Proposed daily admission rates Florence resident adult $5 Florence resident senior $3 Florence resident child $3 Florence resident child (0-2 yrs.) FREE Nonresident adult $8 Nonresident senior $5 Nonresident child $5 Nonresident child (0-2 yrs.) FREE

DEFINITIONS

Resident - Resides within the city limits. Family - includes two adults and immediate family members under the age of 21 living in the household. Senior - anyone 65 years of age. Guests - must pay daily admission. Child - anyone between 3-15 years of age.

The Florence Aquatic Center, scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend at the Florence Government Center, includes a children's splash playground, tot "sprayground," waterfall, lazy river, slides, diving well, sunbathing area, pool, bathhouse and concessions.

There are two proposed rate structures, one for Florence residents and one for nonresidents. Florence residents can purchase a family season membership, includes immediate family members under the age of 21 living in the household, for $200 or a single membership for $100. Seniors can purchase passes for $50. A non-Florence resident can purchase a family pass for $350 or a single membership for $175. Senior passes can be bought for $85.

Florence adult residents can purchase a single-day pass for $5 and Florence children and seniors will be admitted for $3. Nonresident adults can purchase a single-day pass for $8 and children under 16 and nonresident seniors will be admitted for $5. Children 2 and under are always free.

These rates have only been proposed and will be voted on at the April 22 council meeting but are expected to be approved.

"I'm excited," said Heather Wilson, 30, a stay-at-home mom of Burlington. "They seem pretty good compared to the swim clubs and the Y. They're a lot cheaper than the Beach or Sunlite, plus it's closer."

Wilson said she knows she and Katie, 17-months-old, will visit the facility a few times but she won't buy a season pass.

"The prices are reasonable for a single day but you had have to go more than 20 times to justify a season pass."

Amy Bridewell, 28, of Bellevue, is also happy with the prices.

"I was excited to hear an aquatic center was being built in Northern Kentucky but was afraid it would be overpriced," said Bridewell. "This is affordable."

Parks and Recreation Director Vanessa Lenear is glad people are happy with the proposed prices.

"We tried to make it reasonable," said Lenear. "We looked at other communities, mainly in the Ohio area that had similar facilities so we were comparing apples to apples. We also looked at Kings Island, the Beach Waterpark and Sunlite Pool.

"We want to be able to recover our operating costs," she added.

Memberships can be purchased beginning in May by calling 647-5439.