By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Asheton Whitaker, 13, of Fairfield, tests one of the new waterfalls at the indoor water park at Clippard Family YMCA in Groesbeck, Colerain Township. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

Her arms crossed at her chest, 11-year-old Lauren Whitaker slid around a right turn, around a left turn, another left, then splashed into the pool at the new indoor water park at Clippard Family YMCA in Groesbeck.

The six-second ride Wednesday morning made the fifth-grader the ceremonial first waterslider at Greater Cincinnati's first indoor water park.

Well, sort of.

"I mean, we couldn't just put our members on it without testing it out ourselves," said Susan Allen, aquatics director.

The day before, Allen and her gaggle of lifeguards had trained in the $1.8 million water park, and many rode the 16-foot tall, 115-foot long waterslide, giving it rave reviews.

The 8,000-square-foot water park is part of $2.7 million in renovations for the YMCA serving Colerain and Green townships.

The YMCA will hold a grand opening ceremony on June 21 with a parachute team swooping in and fireworks lighting the sky.

There is a 6-foot tall mushroom streaming water, a "silly shower," and a miniature "lazy river" that surrounds a whirlpool bath.

Clippard Family YMCA

Address: 8920 Cheviot Road

Phone: 923-4466

Contact: Director Dirk Langfoss

Membership fees: Individual, $125 signup fee, $48 monthly; family, $150 signup fee, $68 monthly.

E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com