REINBECK -- The aquatic center had been open less than a week.

But by Wednesday afternoon, 10-year-old Cortney Crozier had made up her mind: The Reinbeck Family Aquatic Center is going to be her home away from home.

Her sister, Carley, 8, and friend Kayla Fobian, 10, agree.

"We've been here every day," Kayla said.

Before that, she trekked to Waverly's pool twice a week. The Croziers visited Cedar Falls' new water center.

Kayla's favorite aquatic features in Reinbeck include improved diving boards, a new yellow twisty water slide and zero-depth entry.

"That's everything," Carley added.

The trio -- their stringy, half-dry, sun-bleached hair evident of some serious time spent in the pool -- took a break from the water to help sell concessions.

Dani Crozier, chairwoman of the city's park board and aquatic center advocate, said the money will go toward more amenities.

The parking lot is still under construction and some of the grounds need grass, she said. The priority, she said, was to let the kids take a dip before the summer's end.

"The best part was Saturday just watching the first group of kids just run into the pool with excitement," Crozier said. "It's all worth it.

"We should be able to enjoy this pool for 50 years," she added.

Those looking to improve Reinbeck's old pool started brainstorming six years ago. The city's old pool was almost half a century old and leaked, and portions of the mechanical system needed repairs.

Thirteen-year-old Kenzie Dugan remembers the old pool.

Comparatively, "It was a rectangle and boring," she said.

The new diving boards, she noted, have better spring.

Sticking with the campaign over the long haul was challenging and tiring at times, advocates said. Original designs were scaled back.

Construction began last fall on the $1.6 million aquatic center.

About $520,000 in private funds, including a $100,000 gift from Lincoln Savings Bank, made the project possible, Crozier said. The city and county also made contributions. Other moneys, including a $100,000 Community Attractions and Tourism grant and a $25,000 McElroy grant, assisted.

Crozier also applauded volunteers and pool committee chairs for seeing the project through.

Capacity for the new pool is 300. Up to 200 have been using the center daily during the first week of operations, said Sharon Hoffmann-Wambold, manager of the new aquatic center.

Hoffmann-Wambold, who managed the old pool, considers the aquatic center a popular way to keep students occupied during the summer.

She likes to consider the center the city's largest baby-sitting service. So when a mother calls to remind her teenager to be home soon for a hair appointment, Hoffmann-Wambold considers part of her job description to relay the message.

"We encourage kids to be here."

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.

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If you go

The Reinbeck Family Aquatic Center is located in Elmood Park off Park Street.

Cost is $2 daily admission for Gladbrook-Reinbeck School District residents and $3 for out-of-district visitors.

An individual season pass is $35. A family season pass is $65.

Open swim is 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Family swim will be from 5 to 6 p.m. unless parties or lessons are scheduled.

Swimming classes will start in August.

For more information and for a complete schedule, contact (319) 788-2094.