Furman Aquatic Center

Located in the heart of Ames, the $10 million Furman Aquatic Center includes a 550-foot lazy river with a waterfall and two large water slides, each more than 200 feet long. The 50-meter pool features a 150-foot drop slide, basketball hoops, a 3-meter platform and a 1-meter springboard. A 5,000-square-foot recreational pool includes zero-depth entry, spray features, a large play structure, a children’s slide and a toddler slide.

The Ames Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of swimming opportunities. Programs include swimming lessons for children and adults, outdoor water walking, outdoor lap swimming and various fitness classes for adults.

The department also offers a Lifeguard Prep Course, Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor classes. More than 100 lifeguards, instructors, pool supervisors and cashiers are employed each summer.

View the program guide to register for swimming lessons, lifeguard training, or other aquatics programs.

Season passes and discount visit cards can be purchased by calling 515-239-5350 or by visiting the Community Center at 515 Clark Ave., southwest corner. Enter through the gymnasium doors off Fifth Street.

2025 Daily Admission Rates

2025 Sumer Season Aquatic Fees(PDF, 59KB)

Calendar and Hours

Furman Aquatic Center Calendar and Hours

Policies and Rules

Furman Aquatic Center Policies and Rules(PDF, 103KB)

Child Supervision Reminder

For your child's safety, we require all groups visiting the aquatics facilities to follow our adult-to-child ratio requirements.

Children under 6: 1 Adult per 6 Children
Children aged 7-9: 1 Adult per 8 Children
Children aged 10-12: 1 Adult per 10 Children

Three lap lanes will be dedicated for Adult Lap Swim during open swim (short course).

Deep Water Test: Kids 12 and under. Child must push off from the side of the pool, swim to the middle of the 50 meter basin using the crawl stroke (with face in the water), tread water for 30 seconds and then swim using the crawl stroke (face in the water) back to the side of the pool.