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 event with club teams from multiple states. An ACHA representative told the board teams expected to participate include club squads from Indiana University, Purdue, Miami (Ohio) and Penn State; staff said all teams will come from out of town. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 22–24.

Board members voted to authorize Amendment 1 to Hasco’s service agreement after staff reported that dehumidification and HVAC failures last year created condensation in the Swander fitness center. A Swander Ice Arena staff member said Hasco began remediation on visible mold but discovered additional contamination once a wall was removed on the east rink side; that work must be completed before the original scope can be finished. The additional contract cost is $55,000, and staff said the contractor’s original time estimate of six to eight weeks still applies but must be coordinated around on-ice events. Staff said containment has kept most of the facility open and that the remediation schedule will avoid a tournament weekend already on the calendar.

The consent agenda items were approved as a group. Staff listed the four items as: approval and execution of a park property use permit with Franklin Street Events Association for the 2025 Franklin Street Bazaar; approval and execution of a park property use permit with Swerka & More for a bridal festival at Westside Park Library on July 12; approval and execution of a park property use permit with Tri-State Creation Care for the Evansville car show at Westman Park on Oct. 4; and permission to donate four single-use golf passes to the city golf courses for Wright’s Soccer Team annual fundraiser.

In reports, parks staff said crews have been working on storm debris and tree removal in parks and along boulevards and have helped operate the city’s storm debris drop-off site. Maintenance staff said the primary drop-off is being routed to Roberts Park and that usage has been heavy on weekend days, with crews reporting roughly 14–15 vehicles unloading at peak times. Staff described some areas, including property near a state hospital, as too wet for heavy equipment and said those spots will be handled when conditions improve. The city is coordinating with utility departments and contractors to grind and remove debris off-site promptly.

Staff also outlined an internal reorganization in the parks department. Hannah Bedwell’s prior full-time sports director role has been retitled full-time program director; a new part-time sports coordinator position will handle adult sports and related personnel coordination. The vacant finance officer role has been restructured and the revenue clerk elevated to a finance specialist (Julie Reinbrecht). Swander Ice Arena’s prior program manager position has been replaced by an operations manager role to provide seven-day coverage and staff training for a facility that operates roughly year-round.

Other calendar items noted for the commission: the next park check is scheduled for March 4 at 6 p.m. for the Third Ward (location to be confirmed). Musgrove Park Zoo and Botanic Garden Executive Director Eric Beck told the board the zoo will kick off its month-long orchid show in Amazonia with a fundraising event Saturday; tickets are available at musgroveparkzoo.com.

The commission also approved acceptance of payroll and vendor claims and adjourned. Meeting minutes from Jan. 22 were approved earlier in the session.

Votes at a glance

- Elect Wayne Kenny as president of the Border Parks Commission — motion approved. - Elect Derek Cleo as vice president — motion approved. - Approve consent agenda (Franklin Street Bazaar permit; Swerka & More bridal fest permit; Tri-State Creation Care Evansville car show permit; donation of four golf passes for Wright’s soccer fundraiser) — approved. - Approve and execute use agreement with ACHA Hockey to host a neutral-site collegiate hockey regional tournament at Swander Ice Arena Feb. 22–24 — approved. - Approve and execute Amendment 1 to Hasco’s service agreement for additional mold remediation at Swander Ice Arena, additional cost $55,000 — approved. - Accept payroll and vendor claims — approved.

The meeting ran about 17 minutes and included staff presentations, contractor updates and public scheduling items.