Evansville Border Parks Commission elects leaders, approves ACHA tournament and $55,000 Swander Ice Arena mold remediation

The Evansville City Border Parks Commission on Feb. 5 elected Wayne Kenny president and Derek Cleo vice president, approved a series of park-use permits and a neutral-site collegiate hockey tournament at Swander Ice Arena, and authorized an amendment adding $55,000 to a contract for mold remediation at Swander.

The new officers were chosen at the start of the meeting; members then approved a consent agenda that included permits for the 2025 Franklin Street Bazaar, a bridal festival at Westside Park Library, an Evansville car show at Westman Park, and a donation of four single-use golf passes for a youth soccer fundraiser. The commission also approved an agreement to host an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) regional tournament at Swander Ice Arena Feb. 22–24 and approved Amendment 1 to the Hasco service agreement to expand mold remediation work at Swander for an additional $55,000.

Why it matters: Swander Ice Arena is a high-use facility in the city’s parks system; the commission’s approvals affect event scheduling, facility repairs and short-term operations while cleanup and remodeling work proceed. The mold remediation amendment in particular is intended to allow Hasco to complete unseen contamination found behind walls so the contractor can finish earlier work without further delay.

The commission approved the ACHA request after staff said the tournament will be run as a neutral-site…