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Parks director says Aquatic Center secured for exclusive company event; commissioners approve filtration maintenance contract
Summary
Vanderburgh County Parks staff told commissioners they have an agreement to host a large private company event after the pool season closes and the board approved a scheduled maintenance contract for the aquatic center's main filtration system.
Vanderburgh County Parks staff told the Board of Commissioners on March 18 they had secured exclusive pool use for a company event after the 2025 public season closes, and the commission approved a maintenance contract for the Burdette Park Aquatic Center's main filtration system.
Parks Director Zach Wathan said his staff worked with a company he identified as "Barry Global" that toured the facility and requested exclusive pool access on the Saturday after the scheduled season close. "We did secure them for exclusivity of the pool this Saturday after we close," Wathan said, adding the company "are talking about 6,000, 7,000 people" across multiple global branches and that accommodating them during the regular season would have been difficult.
Wathan said the date under discussion would be "the Saturday after we close August 9." He described lifeguard recruitment as strong and told commissioners, "we're gonna have almost a 100 lifeguards," noting his staff has pursued creative local recruitment methods.
Separately, the commission approved a maintenance contract with Industrial Maintenance Services LLC to service the Aquatic Center’s main filtration, pumps and motors. Wathan said the work is routine "every couple years" and that a heavier-than-normal rain season last year increased equipment use. He confirmed the contract is funded from the park’s revolving budget (concessions and related revenues).
Commissioner Gable moved to approve the maintenance contract; the motion carried on recorded roll call votes from Commissioners Gable, Canterbury and President Elpers.
Wathan told the panel the county has previously hosted company gatherings (he cited a past client, Sabik) and that hosting occasional private events outside the regular season could provide revenue if staffing and safety needs are met. He said staff would ensure appropriate staffing levels, concessions and safety coverage for any such event.
The commissioners did not place additional conditions on the maintenance contract; the Parks Department will coordinate scheduling and staffing for planned special events outside the operating season.
