Aquatic Center Closing Dates

It is hard to believe how quickly the summer goes by, but here it is August and before we know it school will be starting. I often get questions regarding the aquatic center closing dates. Here is a little information regarding those policies.

When the City of West Des Moines and City of Clive decided to build the new aquatic centers, a 28E Agreement was established to share services and supplies between the three facilities (Clive Aquatic Center, Holiday Park Aquatic Center and Valley View Aquatic Center). This agreement not only provides access for residents to all three facilities and cost savings for both communities; it also determines when facilities will close at the end of the summer.

It was agreed that at least one of the three facilities will remain open until Labor Day each year. That responsibility alternates yearly between West Des Moines and Clive. This year it is West Des Moines' year, and Holiday Park Aquatic Center will remain open until Labor Day.

Between the two aquatic centers in West Des Moines, Valley View requires the largest number of staff to operate safely. Because a large number of aquatic staff members are college students, and most Iowa colleges begin school in mid-August, the size of our staff team reduces significantly at this time. We also have many high school students on staff that are involved in extracurricular activities that start up in mid August as well. Because of these staffing levels, and the fact that pool attendance drops off in August, it is the best business decision to close Valley View first. This year it will close August 13.

Both the Clive Aquatic Center and Holiday Aquatic Center will remain open until school starts August 23rd. After school is in session Holiday will remain open on an abbreviated schedule weekdays and open regular hours on weekends through Labor Day.

Our goal each year is provide opportunities for residents to swim until Labor Day, and the past three years we have been able to offer that service and will continue to for this summer too. So don’t delay and get out there and enjoy your favorite aquatic center before the summer is over!