Buffaloe Road Aquatics Center, Raleigh's new water park, will open to the public Tuesday.

This long-awaited facility, opening months behind schedule because of a variety of delays, includes a three-story water slide and a zero-depth entry pool for little kids with water tumblers, a water curtain and a slide.

It's a big deal for a lot of families who have been eagerly awaiting the big day. And I can't imagine it not being hugely popular. While private clubs in the region have many or even all of these features, there's really nothing like this for the general public in Wake County.

Terri Stroupe, the city's aquatics director, asked me to share a few facility rules. Here they are:

• Patrons must be 48 inches tall to use the water slide. Patrons less than 48 inches may use the water vortex or current channel only when accompanied by an adult 16 years or older who is at least 48 inches tall.
• For the safety of users and to maintain our equipment, ALL JEWELRY (the city's emphasis) and bathing suits with any metal fixtures (rivets, zippers, buckles, etc.) or ornaments are prohibited when using the water slide.
• Lockers on located on the pool deck. Patrons should bring their own lock to secure their belongings.

Tuesday's opening is a soft opening as the city gears up for a big crowd, which I suspect may head out there this weekend (if not before!). I'll be out there on Wednesday to check it out.

Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center is closed Mondays.

The center's hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.

The waterslide, vortex and current channel is open 12:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.

Lap swim is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday; and noon to 3 p.m., Saturday. There is no lap swim on Sunday.

And water volleyball is scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday; 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.

For more details, including the fees to swim, see my earlier post. It's located at 5908 Buffaloe Rd. between New Hope Road and Interstate 540.

The city sent me some photos of the new facility. Check the image gallery for a look!