SUN PRAIRIE FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER GRAND RE-OPENING SET FOR SATURDAY, JULY 11

300 East Main Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590-2227
Website: https://cityofsunprairie.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 7, 2026
Ashley Manthei
Communications Manager
amanthei@cityofsunprairie.com
(608) 608-0322
 

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – The City of Sun Prairie is excited to welcome the community back to the newly renovated Sun Prairie Family Aquatic Center with a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Following a multi-year planning effort and extensive renovation, the Family Aquatic Center has been
transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art aquatic destination that will serve residents and visitors for
generations to come.

Originally opened in 1992, the Family Aquatic Center has long been a favorite summer gathering place for families. The renovation builds upon that legacy by enhancing the guest experience, improving accessibility, increasing operational efficiency, and incorporating sustainable design features throughout the facility.

“This is an exciting milestone for our community,” said Chad Shelton, Recreation Director for the City of Sun Prairie. “This project is so much more than a pool renovation. It represents an investment in our community and creates a place where families will gather, children will learn to swim, friends will spend summer afternoons together, and lifelong memories will be made for years to come.”

The renovated facility features a variety of exciting new amenities, including:

• A fully renovated bathhouse designed to improve accessibility, efficiency, and patron flow
• A new aquatic play structure for toddlers and young children
• A family slide, tube slide, zip line and an aqua climbing wall
• Artificial turf sunning areas
• Additional shade structures and seating throughout the facility
• A refreshed concession stand
• Outdoor recreation spaces featuring ping pong and cornhole

The renovation also places a strong emphasis on sustainability and operational efficiency.

Among the facility’s most unique features are three 25-foot solar trees, designed to offset the energy usage of the aquatic center while also providing shade to guests. Each solar tree includes a 5-kilowatt solar array, LED lighting, and charging ports for mobile devices. During the off season, excess energy generated by the solar trees will be returned to the electrical grid. Each solar tree trunk features custom artwork created by local youth, making them both a functional and artistic addition to the facility.

The solar tree project was made possible through the generous support of Bank of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie Utilities, Kwik Trip, Milwaukee Tool, Unique Sewing Creations, Pellitteri Waste Systems, and Herzing University.

To help celebrate the grand re-opening, Kona Ice will be onsite from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., providing free Kona Ice cups while supplies last, courtesy of Monica Patrick Dental and Josh Erickson with American Family Insurance.

Residents are encouraged to purchase a season pass for the best value and enjoy everything the renovated Family Aquatic Center has to offer throughout the remainder of the summer.

For more information about the Family Aquatic Center, season passes, admission, and hours of operation, visit https://rec.cityofsunprairie.com.
 
About City of Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie is a vibrant and thriving community located in northeastern Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. The City of Sun Prairie has experienced strong population growth since its incorporation from a village to a city in 1958, undergoing a transformation from a relatively small community of less than 4,000 to an estimated 39,419 today.