Ginger DeCoursey - Zionsville Monthly Magazine

January 2020 While most of us anxiously count down the days until warmer weather arrives and sunshine prevails over gray winter skies, the Azionaqua Swim Club Board of Directors is hard at work planning for the club’s 60th anniversary as one of Zionsville’s most beloved community amenities and not-for-profit swim club. We sat down with Ginger DeCoursey, aquatics director, and Janet Goar, board president and grounds chair, to learn more about what Azionaqua’s members can anticipate during the anniversary celebration events on July 3 and July 4, 2020. DeCoursey, a Zionsville resident, swam for Carmel High School in the late ’80s and is part of the renowned girls swimming undefeated “dynasty.” She also swam for Purdue University, where she is a four-year letter winner. A Brief History of the Club The genesis of the Azionaqua Swim Club dates back to 1956. A group of Masonic Lodge brothers, Virgil Knapp, Henry Beard and Herman Gettle, recognized a need for a venue in the community where children and people could learn to swim. That led to a steering committee organizing the not-for-profit swim club that has been a Zionsville tradition for over half a century. Located on Willow Road on land that once belonged to Charles Becker and family, the pool was built in the summer of 1960, and its first day of operation was August 6, 1960. By May 1, 1960, the club had 500 charter members. The club’s membership today now boasts approximately 750 family memberships. Zionsville’s Best-Kept Secret “We moved to Zionsville 22 years ago,” DeCoursey said. “I had a little one at the time and wanted to join a pool. I grew up around a pool, and that’s how I spent the summers. So, we joined , and my six kids have grown up going to the pool. We’ve been a member for 22 years and live across the street, so we go there all the time.” DeCoursey was hired by the club two years ago as the aquatics director. She shared what makes Azionaqua unique from other aquatic centers as well as some of the incredible programs that the club offers to both young people and adults. “I love the old-school vibe about , and the nostalgia of it just being a pool,” DeCoursey shared. “The kids have to invent their own fun. I’m all for attractions like slides and all that kind of stuff, but it’s a completely different atmosphere than a place like the Monon Center, for example. The way our membership is set up is member-based. You get to know the lifeguards and staff and the other members. It’s a family-friendly atmosphere, which is why my family was drawn to go there in the first place.” DeCoursey continued, “Could you go to another center and have newer amenities and a newer locker room? Absolutely, but you cannot get the atmosphere that we have built at Azionaqua—not even at your neighborhood pool. We also pride ourselves in how clean we keep our pool, deck and locker rooms. We check the pool levels four times a day. We take very good care of the facilities and amenities that we have.” DeCoursey shared that the club is the town’s best-kept secret, and not every family realizes that it exists and that it offers incredible camps and programs during the season. Another thing that most people may not realize is that while the club is membership-based, Azionaqua offers lessons and programs to nonmembers as well. “We offer swim lessons , diving camps, scuba camp and scuba certification and adult lap swim classes,” DeCoursey shared. “We rent pool space to the Zionsville Swim Club, but we have our own swim team as well. The programming is open to nonmembers and priced accordingly.” Celebrating 60 Years of Fun and Tradition The board decided to mark the club’s anniversary over the July Fourth holiday since most people will be home and in town for the Lions Club fireworks and other festivities. “We figured we might as well play off the fact that it’s our highest attendance anyway , and we will play games and have activities at the pool on the Fourth ,” DeCoursey said. “The night before , we will host the patron party, which will hopefully be the big fundraiser portion of the celebration, which will be at the Golf Club of Indiana.” The start time is still being discussed, but festivities on the Fourth will likely begin at noon and conclude at 4:00 p.m. so as not to impede other planned community events or family barbeques. Look for more information regarding the patrons’ dinner at the Golf Club of Indiana on July 3 and the July 4 activities at Azionaqua to be released as the details are finalized. Zionsville Monthly is proud to be the Magazine Sponsor of the club’s anniversary celebrations. For more information on programs and membership, and to inquire about private event rental options, call (317) 873-3913 and visit azionaqua.org. Azionaqua Board Janet Goar, President (Grounds chair) Eileen Davis, Vice- President (Operations chair) Kyle Riddle, Treasurer (Finance chair) Aaron Toops, Secretary (Technology chair) Jenny Larsen (Programming chair) Alex Lee (Concessions chair) Stephanie Susott (Media chair) Scott Quick (Legal Chair)

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