• Activity pool – open swimming and recreational space plus a wading pool
• Multi-purpose pool – eight 25-meter lanes, a staging area, and seating for 150 people
• “Sprayground” – shallow water play area for families with young children
• Enclosure with retractable roof to extend the swimming season year-round
• Beach and deck area, water slide, shade structures, pool house, party room and concessions

By supporting the Lima Community Aquatic Park, community members and leaders will:

• …answer our community’s call for a multi-purpose aquatic park. The two-pool design was carefully chosen to serve the diverse needs of the Lima community. This includes families and neighbors who look to public pools for social and recreational time, and competitive teams and swimmers who need lap lanes and year-round access to an indoor pool.

• …make Lima and even better place to live and work. The Aquatic Park and its central location will reinforce broader economic revitalization efforts, and help ensure a prosperous future is within reach for the people and businesses in our community.
• …help more children in Allen County learn how to swim. Learn-to-swim and water safety lessons will be offered through a partnership with the local schools to maximize the number children we can reach.

Project partners invite local leaders and community members to join us in this once-in-a-lifetime initiative to create a lasting legacy that benefits the people of Lima, now and in perpetuity.

There are two core cost drivers of the Lima Community Aquatic Park construction and operations.

Construction is fully funded at $11.6 million. The City of Lima provided $6.5 million, Lima City Schools gave $2.7 million and the State of Ohio gave $2.4 million. This allows fundraising efforts to focus on long-term operational expenses.

Operations include all costs associated with offering a complete menu of aquatic activities, programs and services. These costs will be funded through a blended revenue stream that includes:

• Earned Revenue (e.g., daily admission, individual/family passes, program fees)
• Partner Funding
• Private Philanthropy

Earned revenue and partner funding will account for a large portion of ongoing program expenses – but not all.

It is essential that we establish $5 million of permanent philanthropic funding to supplement program costs and ensure the Aquatic Park remains affordable to all members in our community.

This campaign brings together forward-thinking leaders, dedicated community members and swimming fans of all ages. Together, we will ensure this unique and essential community resource will benefit generations of people in and around Lima.

The City of Lima and Mayor Sharetta Smith are leading the Lima Community Aquatic Park project.

Lima City Council voted unanimously in November 2023 to approve city resources to build the park.

Lima City Schools pledged support of the aquatic Park project, citing its ability to close the service gap both for competitive swimming and for instructional swimming.

The Lima Family YMCA provided insights on cost estimates and design and remains at the table as a potential operational partner.

The Lima Community Foundation is acting as fiscal agent and steward of contributions made toward the Aquatic Park, during and beyond the campaign.

Community partners such as Lima Central  Catholic High School, Visit Greater Lima Convention and Visitors Bureau and others have pledged financial support and leadership to the project.