2025 “mixed bag” financially for aquatic center

While the hot summer days draw people to swimming facilities, the rainy days keep them away, making summer 2025 a “mixed bag” financially for the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center. “Weather is the number one key driver to a successful pool year,” said John Green, Tipp City finance director. “Overall, we’re down a little bit from last year at June 30. The first half of June was cool and wet. The second half was drier and hot.” The first two weeks of July provided “very positive” news as far as use and finances at the aquatic center located at City Park, he said.

Although it is almost never too hot for pool patrons, it’s a good bet the cool wet weather will keep them indoors. Given the mixed bag of weather so far this summer, Green said his best prediction as of mid-July is for an average year at the pool

“As of mid-July, I expect it to be an average year. I don’t see revenues exploding in the last four weeks of the season, but I think there will be enough good weather days to end the year close to where we expected,” Green said. The aquatic center is run for the city under contract by SwimSafe Pool Management. While a shortage of lifeguards was reported in recent years at swimming facilities, that situation has improved locally. Last year, an hourly pay increase was implemented from an average of $11 per hour to an average of $13 to $14 per hour.

Among changes/updates made at the aquatic center this season, in addition to routine maintenance, were:

-   Painting the pools at around $50,000

-   Installing new LED lights around the facility at a cost of around $1,500

-   Replacing the pump in the activity pool for about $25,000

For more information on the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center, visit https://www.tippcityohio.gov/250/Pool-Information.