Pelican Harbor
Bolingbrook Park District
The Bolingbrook Park District builds and grows in response to methodical and thorough community needs assessments. In 1989, a clearly identified need for more programming and gymnasium space led to the development of the district's Recreation and Aquatic Complex, which opened with the five-acre Pelican Harbor family aquatic park in June of 1996. The adjoining recreation center held its grand opening in September that same year.
Pelican Harbor features a 240,000-gallon zero-depth pool with two waterslides (body flume and innertube), spraying playground with soft-play surfaces, sand volleyball and play area, plus a full service concession stand with several party decks.
The Indoor Aquatic Complex has an 80,000-gallon zero-depth leisure pool with a 40-foot waterslide, plus a 150,000-gallon 25-yard lap pool, hot tub and party decks. The recreation center offers two full-size gyms, a fitness center, dance and aerobics studios, an indoor playground as well as gymnastics and meeting area.
By the first full year of operation, the facility surpassed community expectations: the fitness center generated 2,400 memberships, gymnastics participation grew 400 percent and aquatic attendance surpassed 150,000.
In 1998, Pelican Harbor was one of five from a field of 200 waterparks nationwide to receive the National Recreation and Park Association's Excellence in Aquatics Award for community aquatic services, management and lifeguard training. Plus, the waterpark received the 1998 Jeff Ellis & Associates Platinum Award for Aquatic Safety, the water safety consultant's highest ranking.
Pelican Harbor's features such as the Spray Playground attract an average of 950 swimmers per day.
Bolingbrook's indoor Aquatic Complex includes a "mushroom fountain" in the leisure pool and a 40-foot waterslide.
Plans for Bolingbrook's 15-acre Recreation and Aquatic Complex resulted from community input or town meetings and surveys.
Architect of Record:
Pollock, Holzrichter and Nicholas
Wheaton, Ill
Aquatic Design Engineer:
Water Technology, Inc.
Beaver Dam, Wis
Cost: $13.5 million
Acres: 15
Occupancy: June 1996