East Lansing residents may not have to break out their sunscreen for the expected cool weather today, but they can put on bathing suits and get ready to have fun at East Lansing’s newest attraction.

The Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbott Road, will celebrate its grand opening at 5 p.m. today, following a 4:45 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The ribbon-cutting ceremony is an opportunity for the mayor and other members of city council to recognize the achievements of the community in being able to open an aquatic center,” said Tim McCaffrey, parks and recreation facilities director for the city.

The center will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily starting Friday and continuing through Labor Day.

McCaffrey said he doesn’t think the partly cloudy, 63-degree weather forecast is going to be a deterrent for families and students coming to the center today.

“There is quite a bit of interest,” he said. “We expect we will have a good crowd on hand for this opening.”

The center features a six-lane, 400,000-gallon pool with a zero-depth entry, a 190-foot tube water slide, a 140-foot body water slide and a small frog slide for children.

Matt McClintic, an East Lansing resident, said while he doesn’t plan to go today, he is looking forward to visiting the center during the summer.

“I think it would be interesting,” he said. “It is close by and would be easy access rather than going to Lake Michigan or something.”

He also said he believes most people will wait until it is slightly warmer before they go to the water park.

East Lansing Councilmember Beverly Baten said she is looking forward to the center’s opening.

“It is wonderful (at the center),” she said. “It is going to be fabulous - hopefully there will be some warm weather.”

Admission is $5 for residents and $6 for nonresidents on weekdays; on weekends it is $6 for residents and $7 for nonresidents. A 10-visit pass can be purchased for $40 and family season passes can be purchased at $90 for the first family member and $50 for each additional family member.