Benton Parks Natatorium

In 2017, the City of Benton embarked on a challenge that would eventually open up Saline County to more revenue, population and fun: the River Center. Construction finished during the first quarter of 2017, and the doors swung open for the first time April 1.

Now, eight years later, the Center continues to grow and serve. While the facility offers a wide variety of options for almost everyone, the aquatic center continues to rank among the most popular destinations not only at the River Center but in the County.

“When this pool was built, they did a wonderful job of looking at the needs of the community and making sure that they offered a great space to be able to do various things here,” said Adam Nelsen, Aquatic Director for the City of Benton. 

“We have a competition pool—an eight-lane, 25-yard pool. We can train, and our members and guests can use it for laps and things. The water is kept at about 80 degrees for when you are working hard.” Nelsen added that the Center also includes a leisure pool with a splash pad, a vortex pool, a basketball goal, and a two-story water slide that uniquely travels inside and outside of the facility. 

While the Center continuously provides fun for all ages, parties are among the most requested from residents. “They built three different party rooms,” Nelsen said. “There are two downstairs and one upstairs. They are different sizes so we can accommodate different groups.”

The Eat My Catfish Party Room holds up to 44 guests; the BCOH Party Room holds 22 guests; and the Racers Party Room accommodates the most guests, at 48.” Nelsen added that “Party Mode” is catered to weekend fun, beginning Friday nights.

“We have a slew of party times available for all three of those rooms and they stay pretty booked all throughout the year,” Nelsen said. “It is really great for the community because when people think of swimming, they think of summertime. But it is great to have this indoor space for people that may have a birthday in January. They can still have a pool party.”

Room rentals are given in two-hour timeframes, with the two larger rooms costing $225 each. The smaller party room rents for $175 for the two hours. “That gets all of their guests in and also gives them space for cake and gifts, and then it also gives them entrance into the facility to swim,” Nelsen said. “We add inflatables for parties, and kids go crazy for those bounce houses. You get the whole shebang, and it is a very affordable way to have a great birthday experience.”

Nelsen added that for birthdays, he and his staff reach out to the family of the person being celebrated for photos or other things to display on the electronic board within the Center.

“We make a display that we put on the board, so it rotates through all of those parties,” Nelsen said. “We want our guests to feel extra special. For parties that have more attendees than specified for the room, Nelsen said additional guests would simply have to purchase a day pass and would still be permitted to attend the party despite being over the room limit.

“Everyone will arrive and sign in, so we know who all there are,” Nelsen said. “If you have the room for 44 guests and you have 47 people, you will just purchase a day pass for those three additional partygoers.”

Each party organizer receives a party etiquette checklist before the day with information explaining what can and cannot be done during the party. While birthday parties dominate the rentals, other groups also use the center for gatherings. “We have baseball and softball teams that rent rooms for parties,” Nelsen said. 

“We also have had graduation parties and other things during the time we have been open.” The Center can be privately rented as well, for $2,500 for the entire day. “We have to shut down all our programming and tell members they aren’t allowed in during that time period. It includes the full facility, with full staff and all three-party rooms, along with all the other amenities,” Nelsen said. 

A longtime swimmer himself, Nelsen brings his expertise to the Center in hopes of continuing his love for the sport. Nelsen is a member of the Arkansas Swim Hall of Fame, is a former Arkansas Razorback swimmer, and has been the Aquatics Director for Benton since the Center opened.

“I have an extensive background in the sport of swimming,” Nelsen said. “I was a highly competitive club swimmer and have competed in almost every level of the sport.”

He also serves as Coach for the Sharks, a recreational swimming organization at the Center that includes area children of all ages.

“The backbone of every great pool in America is swim lessons,” Nelsen said. “The main way to have fun at a pool is to know how to swim. Everyone deserves that chance. We offer affordable swim lessons for both groups and individuals.”