MT. VERNON, IL — The Mt. Vernon Aquatic Zoo is tentatively scheduled to open for the 2021 summer season on May 29th. Operating hours for the facility will return to normal, Monday through Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 6 pm. Current IDPH restrictions limit attendance to 50% of the facility occupancy limit. This will allow for a maximum 445 guests in the facility during operating hours.
Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna says this decision as well as when and how to open, is based on IDPH guidelines implemented last summer carrying over to this summer and is subject to change.
Due to an increase in operating expenses fees, for facility rentals and season passes have increased. Day pass rates remain the same, $8 for adults, $6 for 17 & under, and $6 for seniors. In addition to returning to normal operating hours, every Thursday night beginning in July the facility will open for evening swim sessions. Cost of admission for evening swim is $5 per person. Season passes will not be accepted for evening swim sessions.
Facility Rentals will be available this season. Rentals are hourly and availability begins at 6:30 pm and can be rented until 9:30 pm. When making reservations, the earliest hour is booked first. Facility rental reservations can be made beginning April 5th.
–Pricing for facility rentals are:
Splash Pad $100.00 per hour
Leisure, Slides & Lazy River $225.00 per hour
Lap Pool & Diving Boards $150.00 per hour
Entire Facility $475.00 per hour
Season Passes will be offered this season so long as Illinois Department of Health guidelines remain the same. Season passes will be available for purchase beginning in May.
–Pricing for season passes are:
Family Pass (4 Members) $350.00
Additional Family Member $75.00
Individual Pass $125.00
Student Pass $95.00
At this time, a decision on swim lessons has not been made. A decision on swim lessons will be made closer to opening for the season. As the zoo did last season, they will follow all guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Public Health for COVID-19 mitigation and adjust operations accordingly. For future announcements regarding the 2021 Aquatic Zoo season, please like and follow their Facebook page @aquaticzoowaterpark.