By Heather Lusk
After more than three decades at Azionaqua, starting as a lifeguard and working his way up to aquatic manager, John Diercks has retired from the pool to spend more time in his teaching roles.
“Of course there are big shoes to fill,” said Wendi Louks, board president of Azionaqua. “John helped with the transition during the summer.”
Brooke Vinton of Noblesville joined Azionaqua earlier this summer as the new aquatic manager, which involves taking care of the lifeguards, pool maintenance and keeping the facility in shape. Vinton has experience teaching swim teams and has a background in pool management.
“She’s done a great job this year stepping in,” Louks said. “She liked the uniqueness of our club.”
Nostalgia is what drew Vinton to Azionaqua.
“I realized it was very much like the club where I grew up,” Vinton said. “It seemed like it would be a really good fit.”
Vinton created some new programs this summer such as a Teen Night, pulling kids from the high school and middle school back into the club, and is prepared to continue that next year.
“I really see us next summer using more of the property,” Vinton said. “We have gorgeous grounds here at the pool.”
This year also marks the pool’s 55th anniversary and marked the first Summer Kick-off to raise funds for the Azionaqua.
“It was our first time trying anything of that sort, so we were a little bit nervous,” Louks said. The carnival event included games, bounce houses a band and silent auction.
Estimating an attendance of 350, Vinton is eager to see the fundraiser return next year.
“It all came together perfectly,” she said. “That’s a must have back next summer.”
Some proceeds from the carnival will go towards a new liner for the Olympic-sized pool once the season ends on Labor Day. More updates will come in the future.
“It’s frozen in time,” Louks said. “You don’t want to lose that specialness but it needs updating.”
