New additions to the city pool are making a splash this summer.

Fairground Aquatic Center officially reopened for the summer season May 30 after a complete redesign and about a year of construction.

What was once a single, rectangle pool has been completely redesigned to include a splash pad that is open even when the pool is closed. The pool also features a rock wall, beach area for kids and zipline. The project also included some much needed accessibility updates including a zero depth entry into the pool.

The aquatic center, located on Fairground Street next to the Mexico Area Family YMCA, is overseen by new Parks and Recreation Supervisor Dante Billups, who officially started his new job May 14.

“During the summer months, a big part of my role is being over at the city pool making sure everything runs smoothly over there,” said Billups.

Despite having only two weeks to adjust before the aquatic center opened, Billups wasn’t thrown into the deep end of this project. He had been interning with the Parks and Recreation Department during his senior year of college getting plenty of hands-on experience.

The public pool is also not unfamiliar territory for Billups. While it may have looked a bit different then, Billups said that when he was growing up, the pool was one of his favorite places to be and he worked a few summers in the concession stand.

“It’s kind of wild seeing people from what I once did to where I am now – it’s kind of a big stepping stone and all the knowledge I've gained has impacted me now,” said Billups.

Billups grew up in Mexico. He graduated from Mexico High School in 2021 before heading to Westminster College where he graduated this year with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and business administration. One day, he hopes to go back to school and eventually become an athletic director.

But until then, he will be responsible for all things aquatic center as well as overseeing many of the city’s summer camps and concerts in the park.

“I think it’s a great safe connection where (parents) can let their kids go and be with other kids as well,” said Billups.

Opening day had been pushed back from May 24 because of weather but when they were finally able to open, Billups said numbers were good and business was steady. He also has some events on the calendar that he hopes will draw a crowd.

The Fairground Aquatic Center will host a night swim June 11 and June 25 from 7-9 p.m., and an adult swim June 13. They also offer swim lessons Monday through Wednesday.

Parks and Recreation Director Chad Unterreiner estimated that the new aquatic center cost around $3 million to complete and the bulk of the money came from the city’s use taxes.

The city of Mexico owns and maintains the aquatic center and Unterreiner said that the only future expenses he foresees will be for maintenance and upkeep.

Billups said that his goal for the aquatic center is to have a space where everyone feels welcome and is a safe place for children to hang out in the summer.

As a whole, though, Billups said he plans to focus on improving the current programs provided by Parks and Recreation and adding more activities for youth.

“I have enjoyed working with the kids at sporting events and I see a different variety of them at the pool,” said Billups.

The pool is open, weather permitting, from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday through Aug. 10.