As summer draws near, Holding Park Aquatic Center (HPAC) is set to officially open its gates for the swim season on May 24. Located at 133 W. Owen Ave., the HPAC invites swimmers to dive into the season from 10 a.m. Families and individuals looking to escape the heat can enjoy open swim times budgeted in three-hour increments, but with a refreshing twist – this year, to avoid potential overcrowding, the facility caps attendees at 200 per session, according to a recent announcement by the Town of Wake Forest.
The fee structure for residents and non-residents of Wake Forest remains accessible, making the aquatic center a go-to spot for families and swimmers of all ages. Children two years and under can splash for $1 if they're residents, and $2 for those who aren't. Older kids (3-12) are set to splash out $4 and $6 respectively, while adults (13-59) will need to shell out $5 or $7. Seniors receive a slight discount at $4 and $6. Given these prices, the center encourages patrons to swiftly to purchase and register online in advance, ensuring your spot is secured under the sun. Walk-ins are welcome, but only if the ever-tightening space permits.
Starting May 19, a week ahead of the opening, swimmers can also snag a "Punch Pass", handy for those planning to make multiple visits. For Wake Forest residents, the Punch Pass, valid for 20 daily swim sessions, will cost you back $60, while non-residents will have to splash out $100. The Catch: you’ve got to purchase these passes online – no word-of-mouth or handshake deals here. Once you've got your pass, don't forget to pick it up at the Joyner Park Community Center during the regular hours of operation – the HPAC staff won’t let you through the gates without it.
As per the parameters set by Wake Forest's official news statement, hopeful swimmers can begin to pre-register for their aquatic adventures starting 14 days before the gates swing open. Miss the pre-registration, and you may find yourself high and dry. It's worth noting that the Punch Pass option is neatly presented as a "payment" method when booking your day at the pool, streamlining the process from purse to poolside with relative ease – just don’t forget to actually present the pass to staff upon entry.
