A topside control panel for a bathing unit system is provided. The topside control panel comprises a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface opposed to the top surface and a display touch or presence-sensitive assembly positioned upon the top surface of the housing. The topside control panel also includes a circuit board assembly positioned upon the bottom surface the housing. In some embodiments, the bottom surface may be circumscribed by a bottom peripheral wall, which with the bottom surface defines a recess in which is positioned the circuit board assembly. A back panel may be secured to the housing so as to enclose the second recess and form an enclosed space. The back panel may include a ventilation member configured for allowing air communication between the enclosed space and a space external to the topside control panel. In another aspect, a topside control panel having a cover frame including a cut out or window area may be provided for receiving the display touch or presence-sensitive assembly when assembled with the housing and may allow for customizing the aesthetic appearance of the topside control panel by selecting cover frames having different appearances.