The Town of Normal formally announced the renaming of Fairview Aquatic Center at Fairview Park on Monday afternoon. It will now be known as the Karraker Aquatic Center, in honor of former mayor Kent Karraker.
Karraker was elected to the town council in 1983, and mayor in 1993. He retired in 2003, and died at age 87 in 2024.
He is remembered for his strong leadership and dedication to the community in pushing for now-successful staples in Uptown Normal, including the Children’s Discovery Museum and Uptown Station.
Fairview Pool was built in 1958. During his time as mayor, renovations were made in 1998, after which the the pool was renamed Fairview Aquatic Center.
“This pool has been really important to our family for over 60 years. Before we could walk, we were in here splashing around,” Karraker’s son, Kyle Karraker, said at the dedication ceremony.
About 40 people gathered for Monday's event, including family members and others from the community. Former Normal Mayor Paul Harmon, state Rep. Sharon Chung and town council members were among those present.
“Whereas Mr. Karraker is well-remembered for his connection to the Fairview Aquatic Center — also known as Grandpa’s pool— Mr. Karraker had a large family that he referred to as ‘pool rats’ as they spent a lot of time at Fairview Pool,” said Mayor Chris Koos.
Koos declared that May 12, 2025, will be known as Kent M. Karraker Day in the Town of Normal.
“We applaud his legacy today,” Koos said.
The Karraker Aquatic Center remains as it was after the renovation of Fairview Pool in 1998, including a main pool with lap lanes, a dive/drop slide pool, a second slide pool and a sprinkler play area.
Kyle Karraker said the family’s involvement extended beyond just going to the pool as patrons, with some family members working there as swimming instructors and lifeguards.
“I worked here and almost lost a toe working in the back in the filter area, so I think he [Kent Karraker] looked at some of the ways the pool house itself and the pool were getting a little old, and he thought that by making it a little more modern, it would be much more of an attraction,” said Kyle Karraker.
“I think dad would be really happy … really proud; this project was something that he really thought was a good thing for the community. He wanted to make this something that was [more than] just a pool — more of a destination — whether you lived in Bloomington-Normal, or you lived in the outlying areas.”
Kyle Karraker also shared one of his favorite childhood memories of the aquatic center.
“My diving instructor actually put lighter fluid in the diving well, lit it on fire and then dove through it,” he said.
After the ceremony, members of the Karraker family posed in front of a new monument displaying the words "Karraker Aquatic Center" in front of the check-in area.
“I’ll probably still refer to it as Fairview Pool for a few years before it sinks in,” said Kyle Karraker.
