Bill Herdrich makes his first visit to the site since it became the Herdrich Family Aquatic Center.

A centerpiece of Rush County’s new Love Community Center will be named the “Herdrich Family Aquatic Center,” following a major gift from the Herdrich Family Gift Alliance Fund.

“We have had a longtime interest in getting an indoor pool in Rush County,” said Bill Herdrich. “After decades of community effort, our family is thrilled it is becoming a reality and we are proud to support this long overdue project.”

The Herdrich Family Aquatic Center will be 100,336 gallons, competition-length at 75’6” and include four lanes with starter block platforms and lane ropes.  A separate section of the pool, divided by a bulkhead, will include an ADA access ramp and be suited for water therapy and aerobics as well as recreational swimming.

“We’ve been fortunate to be able to give to Rush County projects throughout the years,” noted Heather Herdrich Meckes. “But this project is pretty special to us as our family loves spending time around water. We are very grateful to every single person who has touched this community center and pool project, helping it to become such a great asset for our community and available for everyone to enjoy.”

“On behalf of all of Rush County, I want to extend sincere appreciation to Bill, Debbie and all of the Herdrich family for their generous support of our project, not just in recent weeks, but for decades!” added Rush County Community Foundation (RCCF) executive director Chris May.

Bill, a former RCHS swim coach, has been teaching people to swim since he was 13 at Bear Creek Boy Scout Camp. He started the RCHS Swimming Fund in 1994 to support the school swim team and for the past 30 years has been involved in various efforts to make a pool and community center a reality.  Beyond aquatics-based interests, the Herdrich family has created funds at the Rush County Community Foundation to support RCHS Varsity Scholars, Boy Scouts of America, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the Thomas F. Marshall Scholarship.

The Herdrich Family Aquatic Center and associated fitness center, including cardio, weights, group exercise, walking track and basketball court, will occupy nearly 29,000 square feet of the 77,000-square-foot Love Community Center presented by Jay and Christie (Kile) Love.

The facility, under construction and likely to open to the public in early 2025, will also house the Rushville Public Library, Rush County Community Assistance food pantry, Westminster Preschools childcare, and social services offices, along with numerous meeting rooms, public spaces and outdoor plazas.

The naming rights gift made by the Herdrich Family will be held at the Rush County Community Foundation in sustainability funds for the future of the Love Community Center.  Public contributions are welcome to RCCF’s Ebert H. & Bessie M. Schroeder Fund for that purpose.

For information regarding major gifts and naming rights within the Love Community Center, contact RCCF executive director Chris May at cmay@rushcountyfoundation.org or call (765) 938-1177.

The lanes will be on the right and the open swim area on the left.

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