Middletown families have been waiting a long time for a public pool. The city’s last one, at Sunset Park, closed in 2009. This summer, the wait is over.
Monsoon Bay, the new outdoor aquatic center at the Atrium Family YMCA, opened May 23, 2026, at 5750 Innovation Drive in Franklin. The facility is open to YMCA members and, through the YMCA’s guest pass program, their guests. It runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
What’s There
The pool features zero-depth entry on one end, which makes it workable for toddlers and younger kids who aren’t strong swimmers. Two 30-foot water slides — one open-face, one enclosed — anchor the deeper end. Outside the water, there’s a shaded lounge area with chairs and tables, a concession stand, and an outdoor bathhouse. Access to the pool is through a front gate at the corner of the building, not through the YMCA facility itself.
Adult swim breaks happen at the top of every hour for 10 minutes, which is standard at most public pools and worth factoring in if you’re visiting with younger kids who don’t take breaks gracefully.
The concession stand is open 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, including holidays. Coolers are not permitted in the Monsoon Bay area, and neither is outside restaurant food.
Why It Took This Long — and What It Cost
The project was a partnership between the City of Middletown and the Great Miami Valley YMCA. The city contributed $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds; the YMCA covered construction overruns of roughly $500,000, attributed to additional plumbing and fencing requirements, according to reporting by the Journal-News. The total project cost came in around $3.5 million.
Groundbreaking happened in October 2024. The original June 2025 opening was pushed first to September 2025, then into 2026 due to slide construction and delivery delays and concrete work. It opened about a year behind the original schedule.
YMCA CEO Mike Bramer cited water safety as part of the rationale for the project. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths for children ages 3 to 14, according to Bramer’s remarks at the groundbreaking, and increasing access to swimming is one of the stated goals of the facility.
Membership, Guests and Pricing
Monsoon Bay is included with a Great Miami Valley YMCA membership. A standard family membership runs $90 a month. Families with household incomes under $75,000 a year may qualify for sliding-scale financial assistance of up to 40% off monthly dues.
Members can bring guests, but there are rules worth knowing: the same guest is limited to two visits per calendar year, and all guest passes must be processed at the Welcome Center inside the building before heading to the pool. There is no fee charged for guests.
Nationwide YMCA members are welcome at Monsoon Bay Monday through Thursday, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
One practical note: locker rooms are not accessible on weekends after 4 p.m., because the YMCA branch closes at 5 p.m. Plan accordingly if your family needs changing facilities late in the afternoon on Saturdays or Sundays.
For splash pads in Cincinnati and other no-membership water options around the region, that guide covers the broader list.
Plan Your Visit
Address: 5750 Innovation Drive, Franklin, OH 45005
Hours (May 23 – Sept. 7, 2026):
Monday–Saturday: noon–7 p.m.
Sunday: noon–6 p.m.
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day: noon–6 p.m.
Admission: Included with Great Miami Valley YMCA membership ($90/month for families; financial assistance available). Guest passes are free for member guests, limited to two visits per person per year.
More information: gmvymca.org/monsoon-bay
