Melvin Ford Aquatic Center

Olympic size pool, separate slide and diving pool, and a wading pool featuring a rain drip fountain.

Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day

Hours:
Weekdays: 1:00 - 7:00PM
Weekends & Holidays: 12:00 - 7:00PM
Adult Lap Swim: 11:00AM - 12:30PM

2013 Admission Fees:

Description	Daily Admission	Season Pass
Adults	1.50	30.00
16 & Under	1.25	25.00
Family (up to 6 household members)	N/A	75.00

Download / Print Season Pass Form

FREE TO THE PUBLIC 8:00 PM @ Melvin Ford Aquatic Center June 21        Despicable Me July 19         Water Horse Legend of the Deep August 16     Surf's Up Print information flyer

Private Party Reservations: 
Party reservations may be booked for Friday, Saturday, & Sunday  dates only,  7:00PM - 9:00PM.
To request a private party reservation you may download a "Pool Rental Form" to complete and submit with payment to the Downtown Activity Center (215 SW A).  A minimum deposit of half the rental fee will be accepted upon request while the remaining balance would be due the evening of your party.  Reservations will not be confirmed without payment. 
 

Rental Fee (2 hr session) Up to 50 Guests $150 (2 Lifeguards) 51-75 Guests $200 (3 Lifeguards) 76-100 Guests $250 (4 Lifeguards)

Reservations for private parties will be accepted beginning Monday May 1, 2013.   View the 2013 Reservation Calendar for booking availability. Note:  Available dates currently appearing on the reservation calendar may or may not be available at time of request.  Reservations are made on a first come, first serve basis. A revised calendar will be posted by 3PM daily, Mon.-Fri.

Below is a breakdown of the Melvin Ford Aquatic Center's 2013 swim lesson schedule. Please note that all swim lesson sessions are based upon participation and may be subject to change. A credit card transaction fee will apply at check out. Other ways to Register

• A. Parent/Child Swimming Lessons (6 months - 3 years)

Parents and children participate in several guided practice sessions that help children learn elementary skills, including water entry, bubble blowing, front kicking, back floating, underwater exploration and more. Once children can perform the basic skills without parental assistance, they may begin Learn-to-Swim courses.

• B. Preschool Swimming Lessons (Ages 4-5)

Preschool Swimming Lessons offer children an orientation to the aquatic environment and help them to acquire basic levels of aquatic skills. Children will progress from skills with full support to the final stage where they can float independently for 5 seconds, roll to their back, & float for 5 seconds, then return to a vertical position. Children in the final stage will be able to swim using combined arm & leg actions for 5 body lengths, roll to their back, float for 15 seconds, and then roll to their front & continue swimming for 5 body lengths.

• C. Learn-to-Swim Lessons (Ages 6 & up)

Progression through each of the levels in the Learn-to-Swim Lessons is based on individual skill development & mastery. Successful completion of all skills is necessary for advancement to the next level.

• Level 1
  Introduction to Water Skills: helps students feel comfortable in the water and to enjoy the water safely. Students will work to gain confidence & submerge their face in the water. They’ll also practice assisted floating & kicking.

• Level 2
  Fundamental Aquatic Skills: gives students success with fundamental skills. This level places emphasis on unassisted floating and swimming on the front and back.
  
  Participants should be able to bob three times to chin level, enter and exit the water safely without assistance, be comfortable placing the face underwater, and be able to float on front and back for at least 3 seconds with support.

• Level 3
  Stroke Development: builds on the skills in Level 2 by providing additional guided practice. Students will work to further coordinate front crawl and elementary back strokes. They will also be introduced to diving, treading water, scissors kick, and the butterfly kick.
  
  Unassisted transition to front and back float for five seconds, unassisted push off and swim for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 15 seconds, and then swim 5 more body lengths using a combination of leg and arm action on front. Swimming Lessons are held at the Melvin Ford Aquatic Center 410 NE

• Download / Print Registration Form      Print Swim Lesson Details & Registration Form

  • Mail registration form and check or money order to:
    Bentonville Parks and Rec Camp Program
    215 SW "A" Street
    Bentonville, AR 72712
    
    

  • Drop off registration form and payment to:
    Downtown Activity Center
    215 SW "A" Street
    Bentonville, AR 72712
    (visa/master card, cash, check, or money order)
    
    

  • Register Online