Summertime in Lafayette is about to get a whole lot cooler! The new Great Outdoors Waterpark (GOWP), a voter-approved expansion of the LaMont Does Outdoor Pool, will be launching its inaugural season this May - which is only 10 weeks away!
Here’s a list of the significant NEW AMENITIES that have been built to transform the old LaMont Does outdoor pool into the Great Outdoors Waterpark;
- Two, 21 foot high, flagship slides
- Two brand new pools
- A zero-depth entry play/leisure pool
- A lazy river pool
- The original outdoor lap/leisure pool continues to be an amenity at the new waterpark
- A two-story Grand Eagle Dump Bucket that playfully spills water on visitors every few minutes
- An interactive play area that features various water play structures and two tot-sized kiddie slides
- The AquaArch climbing cargo net
- A 4,000 square foot bathhouse that includes changing areas, inclusive changing rooms, and free lockers
- Concession stand
- Picnic tables and seating areas
May 11 Ribbon Cutting - and - May 26 Grand Opening Activities
Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Join us for staff-led tours before the official opening of the waterpark
Friday, May 11, 2018
4:00 - 6:00pm
GOWP | 500 S. Boulder Rd | Lafayette
Official first day of operation
Saturday, May 26, 2018
10:00am – 6:00pm
GOWP | 500 S. Boulder Rd | Lafayette
Admission Information
We’ve received questions about how much it will cost to attend the new GOWP and why there is a difference in price from the old LaMont Does Pool prices.
In 2015, citizens passed a bond to cover “construction” costs at the new Waterpark. The City did not intend to collect additional tax dollars from residents to subsidize operating costs at the GOWP. The day-to-day operating costs were always intended to be covered by user admission fees. This means that the GOWP will be required to cover all annual operational expenses through user admissions, while the construction costs were covered by the voter-approved bond.
From 2014-2017, the LaMont Does Pool saw more than a 50% decrease in annual visits. Over recent years, admission fees for LaMont Does were kept artificially low, as the facility continued to deteriorate.
We understand that some residents are surprised by the new admission prices, but comparing the admission price for the single LaMont Does pool with the new Great Outdoors Waterpark is not comparing apples to apples. The significant number of amenity improvements and overall expansion of the GOWP will incur a substantial increase in daily operating costs, largely due to the additional staff needed as compared to the single LaMont Does Pool. The GOWP will be staffed with three times the number of staff and lifeguards than were needed at the old LaMont Pool. While this increase positively provides part-time jobs in the Lafayette community, as you can imagine these increases in operating costs, as well as the increase in minimum wage, have ultimately impacted the cost of admission to the facility. The GOWP is a totally different place than the single LaMont Does pool, and our costs are different as well.
The Recreation Division manages a very popular Reduced Rate Program, which provides 50% off admission, as well as a credit which can be applied to program participation, for qualified participants. Interested residents can complete a simple application through the Recreation Center and the Reduced Rate Program can be applied to admission at the GOWP. We also partner with Sister Carmen and Centaurus High School to provide opportunities for community residents for whom the Reduced Rate Program is still beyond their means.
Specially priced Family Nights will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-8:00pm. On these nights, the admission price for 2 adults/2 children will be discounted to $30. Information about additional programs and partnerships providing discounted access opportunities will be published in the upcoming Summer Recreation Activity Guide.
Although some waterparks offer a resident rate, we feel fortunate that residents and staff won’t have to contend with this matter in Lafayette. With a resident rate, the burden of proving that you live in Lafayette falls on the resident, and creates a frustrating obstacle for customers when trying to access their community facility. Agencies we collaborate with report they would prefer not to have a resident rate requirement at their admission gate. Additionally, our cost recovery study indicated admission prices should be set at $10/$7.50 to meet expenses. If the GOWP were to introduce the concept of non-resident rates, an additional cost would be added onto the non-resident rate, but the resident rate would remain at the $10/$7.50 level necessary for the park’s cost recovery. Some facilities “subsidize” resident admission, meaning all taxpayers cover a portion of entry into the park. The pricing model for the GOWP does not support this practice.
The Recreation staff is looking forward to a great summer season at the GOWP and hope to see you all there!
Daily Admission Prices
Ages 2-7 $7.50
Ages 18-54 $10.00
Ages 55+ $7.50
Hours of Operation (May 26-August 12, 2018)
10:00am – 6:00pm
Family Night Hours of Operation (Tuesday/Thursdays)
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Weekend ONLY Hours of Operation (August 13 – September 1, 2018)
10:00am – 6:00pm
www.TheGOWP.com