Multi-Million Dollar Pool Project Approved as Mayor Praises Parks Department

Growth was on the minds of the Jasper Park and Recreation Board at their February meeting. Bids were approved to purchase two new trucks and a new mower for the parks department. Most notably, however, a contract of $9,258,500 with established with Taber Owens Construction Group to begin construction on the new municipal pool. This expansive aquatic center project will include a slide, an aquatic zip line that will extend the length of the pool, a Ninja cross climbing station, a 3-meter diving platform and springboard, and 3 additional shade structures around the pool.

Mayor Vonderheide, who was in attendance, applauded the spirit of cooperation in reaching this stage of the project. Afterwards, he called the parks and the park department “the anchor of our quality of life here in Jasper.” When asked about the importance of private and public funding, he praised the generous giving of local residents, saying, “When we can get 15 million dollars of private funding toward a project like the Regional Wellness Center, that makes it very attractive for someone at the state level or the federal level to contribute some other dollars to the region as well as to the community. Because they see it as the public’s behind this, obviously. And we want to give on where the public wants to go. So, it means everything.” Board chair Roger Seger echoed his sentiments, saying that they’re not just building a pool – they’re building an aquatic center that everyone can be proud of.

Additionally, the board was glad to hear from multiple staff members that numbers at events such as senior events, the Spirit of Jasper, and event rentals were up across the board. Ruxer Disc Golf Course and Pooch’s Playground have seen strong attendance and are still growing. Jasper golf shone particularly bright as Golfer’s Choice ranked Buffalo Trace #13 in America's 25 Friendliest Public Golf Courses to play this year. Parks Director Tom Moorman concluded the meeting with an air of enthusiasm, giving a quick update on the Mill decking project and expressing excitement for the many events in the coming year.

To stay informed about these events and other things going on at the parks department, including eclipse preparations and the pool updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov- Indiana on Facebook.

- By Drew Hasselbring