Aquatic Center Changes Take Effect Feb. 1

Beginning Tuesday, February 1, visitors to the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center (SHSAC) will see an update to our membership structure and new, streamlined access to the facility. After two years of limited admission due to necessary COVID-19 protocols, the Aquatic Center has returned to a pre-COVID schedule. Now, visitors can enjoy the aquatic center longer and will not have to pre-register for drop-in swimming.

In our restructuring, we made sure to honor our local community’s prior experiences at the pool and created new opportunities for visitors to take advantage of this uniquely Salida resource.  We understand the importance of our hot springs water and want to provide you with easy and accessible ways to enjoy this great asset.  

Last year, extensive upgrades were made to the locker rooms and lobby area to enhance the visitor experience. A new reservation system was added to streamline the reservation process, and a new membership kiosk will simplify the way members gain access to the facility.

As part of the City of Salida’s 2022 operating budget, City Council approved a new fee structure effective 2022 that includes a price increase for individual day passes and membership passes. Entrance fees have not changed in ten years despite increased costs to provide recreation services to the community.

Another new change this year includes expanded ways for locals to experience the hot springs at a free or reduced price. These include industry appreciation months, free days for parents on Mother's Day and Father's Day, as well as a free day for veterans on Veteran's Day. Additional discounts will be given with proof of Monarch Mountain season passes or a single-day ticket. In the summer, discounts will also be given with a receipt from a guided rafting trip through any Arkansas Valley rafting company. View 2022 discounts and free days attached below. 

The new fee structure that took effect Tuesday, February 1, will directly support new programming and facility operations to ensure that the aquatic center remains a recreational centerpiece of the community.

Below you'll find a comparison chart that describes our new membership and reservation pass options. As a general guideline, the membership pass options provide for unlimited access to the locker rooms, leisure pool, and drop-in lap swimming; the reservation passes allow for a set amount of visits for a specific purpose (ex. fitness classes, kayaking, showers, reservable lap swimming, etc.) 

Please review the informational document below to learn more about the specific membership and pass options.

Thanks for sharing your time with us, and we’ll see you at the pool soon!

View a short message welcoming you back to the pool from Parks and Recreation Director Mike "Diesel" Post.