Summer fun is here

This weekend, area pools are opening, the Channel Cat is running and the auxiliary lock in Pleasant Valley is opening for recreational boating traffic – all signaling the unofficial start of summer in the Quad Cities.    

Ready to dive in? Here are some area pools to hit: 

  • Annie Wittenmyer Aquatic Center, 2828 Eastern Ave., Davenport. Public swim 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, $5; Lap swim noon-1 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, $2, June 2-Aug. 20. 
  • Fejervary Aquatic Center, 1900 Telegraph Road, Davenport. Public swim 1-7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, $5; Lap swim noon-1 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, $2, June 2-Aug. 20. 
  • Scott County Park Pool, 18850 270th St., Eldridge, Iowa. Noon-7 p.m. May 27-29; noon-7 p.m. daily June 3-Aug. 13; $6 adults ages 18 and up; $5 ages 17 and under. 
  • West Lake Beach, 14910 110th Ave., Davenport. Noon-7 p.m. Memorial Day weekend, and daily June 3-Aug. 13; $6 adults ages 18 and older, $5 children ages 17 and under.  
  • Whitewater Junction, 17th Street and 18th Avenue, Rock Island. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays through Aug. 14. Open weekends only Aug. 14-Sept. 5. $10 ages 12 and up; $7 ages 3-11; children age 2 and under are free with a paid adult. Adult lap swim ($5, or free with season pass) is 6:30-8 a.m. Monday-Thursday.
A groundbreaking ceremony is held on Monday, April 10, to welcome improvements to Riverside Family Aquatic Center. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON

Meanwhile, work to upgrade Moline’s Riverside Family Aquatic Center has begun and plans for a new waterpark are underway in Bettendorf. Learn more about the project at 9 a.m. Friday, June 2, when the City of Bettendorf kicks off its day-long 120th Birthday Community Celebration with a groundbreaking ceremony at The Landing at the corner of 23rd Street and Middle Road.

In addition to area pools, there are plenty of other opportunities to enjoy the weather and the water this summer. The Channel Cat Water Taxi season is kicking off this weekend beginning today, May 26 and will run daily through Labor Day. Passengers may board the Channel Cat at its four docking locations: John Deere Commons and RiverBend Commons in Moline, Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf, and at the Village of East Davenport. 

Tickets are  $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 2-10, and free for children under age 2 riding with a ticketed adult. They may be purchased on board or at Centre Station (cash only) or through the Channel Cat mobile app (credit or debit).

If you’d like to take to the water on a boat of your own, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is opening the auxiliary lock at Locks and Dam 14 on the Mississippi River in Pleasant Valley for recreational boating traffic beginning Friday, May 26. The lock will be open for recreational use from 4-10 p.m. Fridays, and noon-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day, and until midnight on Friday, Aug. 11, for Tugfest

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