Glo Swim lights up YMCA pool
Patrons sell out special event featuring neon, music, and fun
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Neon necklaces and balloons filled the pool at the Kokomo Family YMCA on Oct. 17 as members took part in a special Glo Swim event. Dozens of swimmers, young and old, took to the water as hip-hop beats played and the lights went out, giving the pool the feel of a dance club.
The Glo Swim, a first of its kind in Kokomo, is just the latest in a line of themes and activities the YMCA has used to spur patronage at the pool, and this one was a rousing success, according to Tony Budenz, YMCA marketing and communications director.
“We were filled up,” said Budenz of the registrations for the event. “We had 75 slots available, and we added just a little bit more. We still filled up in a day and a half.”
The idea of a Glo Swim came up during a YMCA leadership team meeting. Budenz said that a staff member had seen something similar take place at another YMCA. The group brainstormed and developed the event to fit for Kokomo, and from the community response, it seems the effort was a big success.
Budenz explained that the YMCA’s pool tends to be popular, especially when special events are planned for it. The response to the Glo Swim only reinforced that. A second Glo Swim is most likely in the future for Kokomo.
“Four years back, we did an Easter egg hunt in the pool,” said Budenz. “We didn't know how that would go. We were overwhelmed with people. We had to do it in waves, no pun intended. So, we know that the pool is a big draw. We know it's something that families come to do. We wanted the Glo Swim to be unique, and just coming off our Glo in the ‘Mo 5k, it was kind of a good continuation.”
See bonus photos from this event by visiting www.kokomolantern.com or the Kokomo Lantern’s Facebook page or group.