Jasper Pool set to break 1974 attendance record
The Jasper Aquatic Center has shattered attendance records this summer, welcoming over 19,000 swimmers so far this season and is set to surpass the previous high of 22,892 set in 1974, according to Janessa Wagner, Special Events Coordinator, reported to the Jasper Park Board.
The dramatic surge represents a four-fold increase from 2023, when the facility recorded just 4,500 swimmers for the comparable May-June period. This year’s May-June numbers alone reached 16,000 visitors.
“If you build it, they will come. It’s amazing. It’s insane,” Janessa told board members during the meeting.
“We’ll easily soar past that (1974 record),” said Parks Director Tom Moorman.
The pool’s popularity and expanded concessions menu has resulted in $41,000 in concession sales during the two-month period.
“I can’t keep up,” Janessa stated.
She explained that they had increased prices slightly for some items, like pizza, to try to slow down sales a bit while still keeping items affordable.
“I don’t think it slowed anything down,” she admitted.
The facility sold 357 individual season passes after launching the program in April, cutting off sales at the end of June due to overwhelming demand.
“I had to stop taking pool parties because everybody wanted to do it and I don’t have staff to house all that,” Janessa explained. “So we did have to cut those off which is a good problem.”
The aquatic center’s success extends beyond local residents, drawing visitors from surrounding communities, including Paoli and Corydon. Some families are reportedly considering canceling their Holiday World passes in favor of the local facility.
Twilight swim events have proven particularly popular, with over 400 people attending a single session two weeks ago.
The facility’s enhanced features, including three slides instead of one and additional ground features, contribute to both the attraction and operational challenges. Chemical usage has increased dramatically due to the higher bather load and additional water features.
Board president Roger Seger asked if they had a revenue forecast for the pool.
Moorman did have a solid number yet but stated that in its last year of operation, 2023, the pool generated approximately $75,000 and incurred more than $150,000 in expenses, including labor, consumables, and repairs.
He said the new facility requires a little more labor, with more people handling concessions and an additional lifeguard, and more treatment chemicals. However, they aren’t using as much water as they did in the previous pool.
“Our number of bathers have quadrupled, which is a great thing. But your chemical usage does go up when that happens,” explained Moorman regarding the additional chemical expense of $60,000 for this year.
Board members approved hiring an additional lifeguard to manage the increased capacity and ensure safety standards.
“I told my brothers the other day that I could not believe what goes into running [the] pool,” Seger said. “We were there for an hour and a half or two hours. People are running everywhere and you’re playing with hundreds of kids lives every day.”
Moorman commended the crew he has working at the pool.
“A plus to you guys building it, supporting it, operating it and maintaining it,” Seger commented.
In other attendance record news, the board heard that the Spirit of Jasper, the mill and the schoolhouse had 1,858 people visit compared to 1,083 last year. The railroad introduced new “family quick trips” featuring shorter, more affordable rides that attracted 295 people across three Saturday departure times.
The golf course reported slightly lower revenue due to extreme heat affecting play during midday hours. Pro shop sales totaled $16,082.97, down $5,743.62 from last year, while driving range revenue reached $11,484, a decrease of $1,220.
“The last couple of weeks, it’s just been so hot. Nobody wants to play when it’s so hot outside,” Kurt Uebelhor explained.
Parks maintenance updates included pouring concrete for a handicap-accessible picnic table at Bohnert Park and cleanup after a hickory tree fell on playground equipment at Parker Park. The sand volleyball court project at Buehler Park continues with rock delivery in progress.
The board approved up to $25,000 for sod replacement on the golf course, selecting Shank Sod at 77 cents per square foot for approximately 20,000 square feet of damaged areas.
Other business included accepting a $600 donation of poly fence from Advanced Sports Supply and reviewing preliminary 2026 budget items focused on maintenance rather than major projects.
The board discussed focusing on maintenance issues within the parks department rather than taking on new projects in the 2026 budget. Moorman said it would be a smaller budget than the previous year’s $807,000 budget request.
