FPAC and the Noblesville Swim Club: A Community Partnership
The Forest Park Aquatic Center has become more than just a training space for nationally ranked Noblesville Swim Club
“The Noblesville Swim Club and Forest Park Aquatic Center provide our community with the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”
Aleks Fansler began his coaching career at the age of 14 as a volunteer for his Fort Wayne summer swim league. Today, he is a 12-year member of USA Swimming and has traveled all over the country coaching various nationally recognized teams. Fansler has been the head coach of the Noblesville Swim Club (NOB) since 2016.
“Noblesville really is a community unlike any other that I have been a part of,” shares Fansler. “There is a strong feeling of community and tradition here. For me, that was a draw in it of itself.”
NOB consists of two different programs: The Age Group Program and the Senior Team. The Age Group Program consists of six different groups, with swimmers ranging from 5-13 years old. Each group builds on the last, as swimmers learn proper mechanics and skills. At age 14, swimmers move on to the Senior Team, a more intense and time–consuming program with a focus on polished performance skills.
“We really do have a spot for everyone,” says Fansler. “Our swim club is a place where every kid can come and swim. Whether you want to be a [collegiate] swimmer, or not, we have a path for you.”
Noblesville Swim Club Coach Aleks Fansler demonstrates swim stroke form to team members.
NOB is the largest partner of Forest Park Aquatic Center (FPAC). All of the club’s training and practice takes place at the pool. From spring break until the end of August, the swim club works hard, running drills and preparing for competition. In addition, every year, NOB and FPAC host the Enchanted Forest Meet. Tents and flags line the pool deck as teams from all across the Midwestern region, and even from Canada, attend this spectacular USA Swimming competition.
“This really is our home in the summer. Once it’s warm enough and the weather is cooperating, we get out here and we stay out here,” says Fansler. “The events hosted here at FPAC also make this place unique.”
Forest Park Aquatic Center is more than just a training space for the swim club, though. It’s home. Swimmers help out around the pool by picking up trash, setting up chairs, painting, and landscaping. After morning practice, many of the swimmers can be seen hanging out around the pool during community hours, serving food at the concession stand, or working as lifeguards.
“Our mission statement is: Building Champions through our Community Values. So, we make sure to give the swimmers an opportunity to give back to FPAC every chance they can,” shares Fansler. “A lot of effort went into building that relationship between our two organizations. I don’t think either of us could exist without one another quite as well as we do.”
Fansler looks forward to the future of the partnership between NOB and FPAC. He is excited to see the facility improve through the various renovation projects in the works and hopes that FPAC continues to see community members coming to support it.
“I want people to know that this is here,” says Fansler. “When FPAC does well, the community does well, and when the community does well, FPAC and, in turn, its partners do well, too.”