A.M. Risher Pool Revitalization Project City of Linton, Indiana
LintonPoolProject.org

Save Our Pool.
Build Our Future.

The A.M. Risher Aquatic Center has served Linton families since 1965. Now, with the City of Linton approving $175,000 for the project, the community is working to install a new liner, complete critical repairs, and build toward a bigger 5-year vision for the pool.

The City of Linton has now approved $175,000, and the project team is working to get a new liner installed and critical repairs completed before the start of the 2026 pool season. Funds raised by the group will support the larger 5-year update plan, including future improvements and family-friendly amenities.

🏛️ Project Update

City Funding Approved.
Now the Real Work Begins.

Approved
$175,000
Focus
New Liner
Target
Before 2026 Season
Next Phase
5-Year Improvements

The City of Linton has approved $175,000 toward the pool project. The group is now working to get the new liner installed and needed repairs completed so the pool can be ready before the start of the 2026 season.

$175,000 approved by the City of Linton
💧 New liner and repairs underway for 2026
🚀 Donations support a 5-year plan with upgrades and added amenities

Community support still matters. Private fundraising will help power the broader 5-year plan for updates, improvements, and added amenities that keep the pool growing for years to come.

The Community Is Stepping Up

The A.M. Risher Aquatic Center is the only public swimming pool in Linton (pop. ~5,280) and one of the last remaining recreational assets for youth in our community. It sits in Humphreys Park on State Road 54 and has been a gathering place for families, children, and neighbors since 1965.

The A.M. Risher Pool Revitalization Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed by Linton residents who refuse to let this pool close. The formation of the nonprofit came to fruition after Mayor Preble encouraged a community-led effort to save Linton’s pool. This group was formed in May 2025 with Mayor Preble’s approval and support. Working in partnership with the City of Linton, our combined commitment exceeds $747,000 — including the City's approved $175,000 from the EDIT fund for a new liner and critical repairs, alongside the Revitalization Project’s pledge to raise $500,000 over five years.

Additionally, in a little over a year of existence, the committee has raised over $65,000 through fundraisers and community donations — all without using a single dollar of taxpayer funds. Local businesses, organizations, and individuals have stepped up in extraordinary ways.

We have the permission. We are doing the work. And we are asking you to join us.

1965
Year Founded
5,280+
Residents Served
$747K+
Combined Investment
Only
Public Pool in Linton and Competitive Pool in Greene County

The Immediate Need: Approved Funding and 2026 Repairs

The main pool liner is 17 years old and has been patched several times over the years. It continues to leak water daily, and the kids’ wading pool also needs attention. With the City of Linton now approving $175,000, the focus is on getting the new liner installed and repairs made before the start of the 2026 pool season. Beyond that, the Revitalization Group is continuing to raise money for the larger 5-year plan so the pool can receive long-term updates, improvements, and added amenities in the years ahead.

Community Support Is Building Real Progress

City funding is helping address the liner and critical repairs. Community giving is what helps carry the project beyond reopening and into a stronger long-term future for families, swimmers, and the next generation of kids in Linton.

Community fundraising progress
$65K–$70K
Current fundraising level raised by the group through donations, sponsorships, and community events.
Near-term community goal
$100,000
Current Level
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K

What this shows

The community is not waiting for someone else to solve the problem. Families, businesses, and donors are already investing in the pool.

Why it matters

Visible progress builds trust, attracts larger donors, and demonstrates that Linton is serious about protecting this asset.

What comes next

Every additional dollar helps support the larger 5-year plan of updates, improvements, and added amenities.

Every Dollar Has a Purpose

Donors are more likely to step forward when they can clearly see how support helps both the immediate reopening effort and the long-term vision for the pool.

Immediate Priority

2026 Liner and Repairs

The first focus is getting the pool ready for the 2026 season with a new liner and critical repairs so the facility can operate more reliably and safely.

Next Phase

Stabilization and Upkeep

Community support helps cover the work that keeps the pool functional, attractive, and positioned for future grants and improvements.

Five-Year Vision

Long-Term Improvements

Private dollars also help advance the broader 5-year plan for upgrades, expanded amenities, and features that strengthen the pool for years to come.

Community Impact

Programs, Families, and Access

The goal is not just a repaired pool. It is a stronger place for swim lessons, youth recreation, family gatherings, and community pride.

What a Donation Can Help Support

Not every supporter gives at the same level. Showing examples helps donors quickly picture how they can make a difference.

$25

Join the effort

Helps move the project forward and shows broad public support for protecting the pool.

$100

Support priority needs

Helps strengthen the community side of the fundraising effort for repairs and improvements.

$250

Invest in the experience

Helps fund long-term updates and improvements that make the pool more welcoming for families.

$500+

Help shape the future

Supports the larger 5-year vision for meaningful upgrades, added amenities, and a stronger facility.

The Project Is Moving Forward
Approved

City funding in place

The City of Linton has approved $175,000 toward the pool project, allowing the liner and critical repair work to move forward.

In progress

Planning for the 2026 season

The project team is working toward getting the new liner installed and repairs completed before the start of the 2026 pool season.

Ongoing

Private fundraising continues

Community donations and sponsorships are still needed to support the larger 5-year roadmap of upgrades, improvements, and added amenities.

What This Pool Means to the Community

These are the kinds of needs this project answers every summer: safe places for kids to go, affordable recreation for families, memories that stay with people for life, and a visible sign that Linton still invests in itself.

For parents

A local pool means children have a safe, supervised place to spend summer days, learn to swim, and build confidence in the water.

For grandparents

The pool connects generations. It is one of those places where memories get handed down and families return year after year.

For young swimmers

It supports swim skills, recreation, first jobs, and the kind of healthy summer routine small towns need more of, not less.

For local businesses

A stronger pool helps families stay local, strengthens community pride, and adds to the kind of quality-of-life investment that benefits the whole town.

From Urgent Repairs to a Stronger Pool Experience

The message is not only that the pool needs help. It is that the pool has a future worth building. Donors respond when they can clearly picture both the need today and the opportunity tomorrow.

Today

The facility needs a new liner, repairs, and continued reinvestment to stay strong. The goal right now is to protect a community asset that still matters deeply to Linton families.

  • Address aging infrastructure and water loss
  • Complete priority repairs ahead of the 2026 season
  • Stabilize operations and create a reliable path forward

What donors help create

A safer, more attractive, more sustainable pool that families are proud of — one that supports swim lessons, youth recreation, improved amenities, and a better overall visitor experience.

  • Improved family-friendly amenities and public spaces
  • Stronger long-term maintenance and planning
  • A more vibrant destination for local families and visitors
Why Donors Can Give With Confidence

Registered nonprofit

The A.M. Risher Pool Revitalization Project is a registered 501(c)(3), and donations are tax-deductible.

Working with the City

This is a community-led effort working alongside the City of Linton, not against it. Public and private support are being used together to move the project forward.

Focused use of funds

City dollars are helping with immediate liner and repair needs. Community fundraising helps support the broader 5-year plan of updates, improvements, and added amenities.

A Legacy Since 1965

The pool was named for Mayor A.M. “Slim” Risher, who helped make the project possible by donating his entire first year's mayoral salary to begin the fundraising effort and contributing construction materials from his own business. That spirit of personal sacrifice for the community is exactly what drives this project today.

1965
The pool opened in Humphreys Park, creating the first dedicated public swimming facility for Linton. Mayor A.M. “Slim” Risher donated his first year's salary and construction materials from his business to make it possible. The facility was designed with a main pool, diving boards, and a baby pool — built from the beginning as a place for both recreation and safe youth use.
1967
The Linton Swim Team was established, strengthening the pool's role in youth development and organized competition. The team connected Linton's young swimmers to a tradition of athletic excellence that continues today through the Greene County Stingrays.
Through the Decades
Generations of Linton families have gathered at the pool for swim lessons, summer fun, pool parties, movie nights, water aerobics, and competitive swim practice. The pool has been part of the fabric of community life, creating memories that parents and grandparents share with their own children.
2024
The pool received a fresh coat of paint, demonstrating continued community investment. Water aerobics and lap swimming programs were offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. The facility's 2,440+ Facebook followers show the community's deep connection to the pool.
2025
The A.M. Risher Pool Revitalization Project launches — a nonprofit, community-led effort to help save and improve the pool. The Revitalization Group commits to raising $500,000 over five years to ensure this facility serves future generations.
2026
The City of Linton approved $175,000 in funding for the pool, allowing work to move forward on a new liner and critical repairs ahead of the 2026 pool season. At the same time, the Revitalization Group continues raising private support for the broader 5-year plan of upgrades, enhancements, and new amenities for families to enjoy.
More Than a Pool

In a community where the median household income is $41,968, the poverty rate exceeds 19%, and the nearest alternative public pool is 20 to 30+ minutes away, the A.M. Risher Aquatic Center isn't a luxury. It's a lifeline.

🏊

Water Safety & Drowning Prevention

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4. The pool provides the only supervised, affordable environment in Linton for children to learn to swim and practice water safety.

👦

Youth Recreation & First Jobs

The pool is one of the last remaining recreational assets for Linton's youth. It provides safe summer activity, first job opportunities as lifeguards and staff, and keeps kids supervised and active.

💪

Health & Wellness for All Ages

Water aerobics and lap swimming serve adults of all abilities, including those with joint pain, mobility challenges, or limited access to other forms of exercise. Swimming is the ultimate full-body, low-impact workout.

🏘️

Community Identity & Home Values

Families choosing where to live look at what a community offers. Losing the pool signals decline. Keeping it — and improving it — signals that Linton believes in its own future. Median home value: just $86,800.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family Gathering Place

Pool parties, movie nights, swim meets, and everyday summer fun. The pool is where Linton families connect across generations — where grandparents tell grandkids about the “crazy things they used to do” at the same spot.

📈

Economic Activity

The pool drives seasonal employment, concession sales, and foot traffic to Humphreys Park. An improved facility with slides and attractions would draw visitors from surrounding communities, boosting local businesses.

Five-Year Investment Plan

A clear, responsible roadmap for transforming the A.M. Risher Aquatic Center — starting with the City of Linton’s approved $175,000 for a new liner and repairs before the 2026 season, then continuing with long-term enhancements and added amenities over the next five years.

Year 1 — 2026
$235K
Emergency Repair & Reopening
Liner replacement, operating costs, grant applications filed
Year 2 — 2027
$87K
Stabilization & First Grants
Filtration assessment, minor improvements, expanded programs
Year 3 — 2028
$143K
Major Improvements Begin
Filtration replacement, ADA access, deck/concrete repairs
Year 4 — 2029
$175K
Enhancement Phase
Water slide installation, aquatic features (lily pads, climbing wall)
Year 5 — 2030
$107K
Completion & Sustainability
Shade structures, landscaping, self-sustaining operations
Total Five-Year Investment
$747,000
Through matching grant programs, this $747,000+ combined investment can leverage a facility worth $1–2 million.
💰 Zero Taxpayer Burden

This 5-Year Plan Will Not Cost Taxpayers a Single Penny.

The entire A.M. Risher Pool Revitalization is funded through EDIT funds, private donations, and grants — not property taxes, not utility increases, and not general fund dollars. Every cent comes from economic development investment, community generosity, and competitive grant programs. Linton taxpayers bear zero additional cost. This request and our plan does not cost taxpayers any additional monies. EDIT funds are monies already collected by counties and then distributed to municipalities to finance public capital projects, economic development, and infrastructure improvements - projects exactly like revitalizing an existing public pool.

Indiana Cities That Did This Successfully

Linton is not the first small Indiana city to face this decision. Multiple communities have invested in their pools, leveraged grant funding, and seen transformational results.

Madison, IN — Crystal Beach Aquatic Park

Pop. ~12,000 | Stellar Community 2017

Madison's pool was built in 1938. When they discovered their liner and infrastructure were failing — the same problems Linton faces — they pursued grants aggressively. A $2M CDBG grant turned into a $10 million complete rebuild with waterslides, lazy river, and event space. Reopened 2024.

Jasper, IN — Municipal Swimming Pool

Pop. ~16,000 | Project Cost: $9.25M

Jasper's 1956 pool was barely functional by 2023. Instead of closing, they invested $9.25 million using TIF funds, municipal bonds, gaming revenue, and community support. New pool opened June 2025 with slides, obstacle course, and climbing wall. 5,000+ visitors in first weeks.

Rushville, IN — Waggener Community Pool

Pop. ~6,000 | Stellar Community 2016

Rushville is the closest comparison to Linton. Their Stellar designation transformed the community with a water slide, zero-level entry pool, and aquatic features. Now constructing a $20M REC Center largely funded by grants. If Rushville can do it, so can Linton.

Community Supporters

In a little over a year, our community has rallied behind the pool — raising over $65,000 through donations, events, and partnerships. That community support will help fund the broader 5-year plan for updates, improvements, and added amenities at the pool.

Business Sponsors and Donors
ITU LearnLab

2026 Sponsor

TekShack

2026 Sponsor and 2025 Donor

Hy-Gain

2026 Sponsor

Greene County Chiropractic

2026 Sponsor

French Financial Services

2026 Sponsor

Inman Realty Company

2026 Sponsor

Hale Automotive

2026 Sponsor

Linton Family Dentistry

2026 Sponsor

In Town Storage LLC

2026 Sponsor

Crossroad Enterprises

2025 Donor

Skinner Towing Service

2026 Sponsor

CAS Contracting / Kramer's Tree Service

2026 Sponsor

Linton News

2026 Sponsor and 2025 Donor

First Financial Bank

2026 Sponsor

Fish Monuments

2026 Sponsor

Linton MX and Linton Cycle Sales

2025 Donor

Dentistry Just for Kids & Orthodontics

2025 Donor

E&L Services Group

2025 Donor

Eagles Nest Camping

2025 Donor

Friends of Greene County Stingrays

2025 Donor

Local Union 1410

2025 Donor

Tri Kappa, Linton

2025 Donor

Goddess Glow

2025 Donor

American Legion Frank Courtney Post 22

2026 Sponsor

M&M Mowers

2026 Donor

Chum Chariot

2025 Donor

The Concession Stand

2025 Donor

Gina’s Watering Can & Flowershop

2026 Donor

Additional Business Support and Fundraising
Bob Walters

Fundraiser Campaign and Donor

Double Dog

Fundraiser Campaign and Donor

Linton VFW and Auxiliary Post 7118

Fundraiser Campaign and Donor

Smokin’ and Jokin’ BBQ

Fundraiser Campaign and Donor

Bredeweg Farms

Fundraiser Supporter

Sportsman’s Pub

Fundraiser Supporter

The Tone Trove

Fundraiser Supporter

Halls LLC

Fundraiser Supporter

Aqua Logistics

Fundraiser Supporter

Greene County Soccer Association

Fundraiser Supporter

Walmart

Fundraiser Supporter

Save-A-Lot

Fundraiser Supporter

Lamar Imaging

Fundraiser Supporter

Shad’s Signs

Fundraiser Supporter

Lighthouse Meats

Fundraiser Supporter

Casey’s (Linton and Jasonville)

Fundraiser Supporter

Plus 100s of individual donors, fundraiser supporters, and volunteers who have given their time and resources.

Corporate Sponsorship Program

For businesses seeking meaningful community impact and sustained brand visibility, our corporate sponsorship tiers offer premium benefits including naming rights, exclusive events, and year-round media exposure. All donations are tax-deductible — we are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

★ Presenting Sponsor

$100,000
Only 1 Available
  • 5-year presenting sponsor of the pool — "Presented by [Your Company]"
  • Permanent bronze dedication plaque at entrance
  • Naming of one major feature (slide, aquatic attraction, pavilion)
  • 20 corporate season passes annually
  • 2 private after-hours events per season (150 guests)
  • Logo on all pool merchandise, tickets, and materials
  • Premier entrance banner visible from SR 54
  • Monthly social media features year-round
  • Full-page ad in all printed materials
  • Keynote recognition at all public events
  • Press release and media coordination
  • Quarterly impact reports with data

Gold Sponsor

$50,000
Limited to 3
  • Named sponsorship of a pool feature
  • Permanent recognition plaque at your feature
  • 12 corporate season passes annually
  • 1 private after-hours event per season (100 guests)
  • Large prominent poolside banner all season
  • Bi-weekly social media features during season
  • Half-page ad in all printed materials
  • Recognition at ribbon cutting and public events
  • Logo on pool website with link
  • Press release announcing partnership
  • Annual impact report

Silver Sponsor

$25,000
Limited to 5
  • Named sponsorship of a program (swim lessons, aerobics)
  • 8 corporate season passes annually
  • 1 reserved corporate pool party (50 guests, no fee)
  • Dedicated poolside banner all season
  • Monthly social media recognition
  • Quarter-page ad in season brochures
  • Recognition at opening day and events
  • Sponsor recognition wall at entrance
  • Logo on pool website
  • Distribute promo materials at pool
  • Annual impact summary and thank-you

Community Partner

$5,000
Unlimited
  • 4 corporate season passes annually
  • Name on shared community partner banner
  • Social media shout-out at season start and end
  • Name listed in all season brochures
  • Sponsor recognition wall at entrance
  • Logo on pool website community section
  • 1 reserved pool party (25 guests, deposit waived)
  • Recognition at opening day ceremony
  • Annual thank-you letter with tax receipt
  • VIP sponsor reception invitation

Custom packages, in-kind donations, and multi-year commitments are welcome. Contact us to design a partnership that fits your goals.

Request Sponsorship Packet →
FAQ

Why is fundraising still needed if the City approved money?

The City’s approved funding helps address the liner and critical repairs. Private support is still essential for the broader 5-year plan of upgrades, improvements, and added amenities.

What will donations help pay for?

Donations help strengthen the long-term future of the pool by supporting continued improvements, added amenities, and the larger revitalization plan.

Is the goal to open for the 2026 season?

Yes. The current focus is getting the new liner installed and repairs completed before the start of the 2026 pool season.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes. The project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so eligible donations are tax-deductible.

Can businesses or organizations sponsor the project?

Absolutely. The website includes both community sponsorship and corporate sponsorship options for businesses, civic groups, and organizations that want to help.

Why does this project matter beyond one summer?

Because this is about more than reopening. It is about preserving one of Linton’s most important family assets and building a stronger pool for years to come.

Ready to Make a Splash?

Every dollar is tax-deductible. Every dollar matters. City funding is helping address the liner and immediate repairs, and community support will help fund the 5-year plan for updates, improvements, and added amenities for the next generation.

Contact Us to Sponsor
Location

Humphreys Park, SR 54 East
Linton, Indiana 47441

Donations

(812) 847-9876