Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The new New Ulm Recreation Center aquatic center opened to the public for the first time Tuesday. Lap swimming was scheduled for the first day with open swimming starting Wednesday at 4 p.m.

NEW ULM — After a long wait, the new swimming pool and aquatic center at the New Ulm Recreation Center are open.

Tuesday, the pool opened for lap swimming at 5 a.m. The first open swim will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday for the zero-depth and rec pool sections. The full pool will be open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

The facility features several new water amenities, including a ninja cross course. It is only the second ninja cross installed in the United States. Two flume slides were added to the recreation pool area. It also features a zero-depth entry section for toddlers. The deep end of the pool has a zip-line and climbing wall.

The entire pool deck surface is made from Life Floor, a special foam rubber that is slip-resistant even when wet. Since the surface is made out of foam material, even if a user were to fall they should not sustain a serious injury.

In addition, the Indoor Playground is now open for use. The only sections of the Recreation Center not yet open are the Gymnastic Center and Vogel Fieldhouse. The Gymnastics Center is expected to open soon. The fieldhouse will be open by mid-October.

Hours for the Recreation Center are:

Monday through Friday 5 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hours for the aquatic center are divided into lap swim and open swim hours.

Lap Swim Hours:

Monday – Friday 5-8 a.m.

Monday – Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Saturday 7-11 a.m.

Sunday 9-10:30 a.m.

Open Swim Hours:

Monday & Wednesday 4-6:30 p.m. (Zero-depth & rec pool only)

Friday 4-8 p.m. (full pool)

Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (full pool)