Construction costs will shape final decision
By Bert Lehman
At the urging of Clintonville City Administrator Sharon Eveland, the Clintonville City Council approved a “vision” for an outdoor swimming facility in the city.
The council also directed Eveland and city staff to explore funding options for such a facility.
Those decisions took place at the Dec. 11 council meeting after Eveland addressed the council recommending it make a decision about the city’s unused outdoor pool.
Eveland told the council that it has become clear to her that the community finds it unacceptable that the city has not decided on the future of the pool since a fire damaged part of the facility three years ago.
Since the fire took place, Eveland said the city formed an ad hoc pool committee, which met many times over the several years that the committee existed. The city also spent $4,000 to commission a study to develop possible options for replacing the pool. Discussions have also taken place at other committee meetings, as well as council meetings during that time.
“My staff has spent hours looking at the costs of different parts of the swimming pool. … We have spent four years talking but in all that time we have not made a decision as to whether the council actually wants the city to have an outdoor recreational swimming facility,” Eveland said.
Eveland asked the council, as both the city administrator and as a citizen of the city, that the council decide whether the city will have an outdoor recreational swimming pool or demolish the current facility.
“This is what the people who elected you are asking you to do and it is what I believe it is time for you to do,” Eveland said.
She said when she first became city administrator, she didn’t think the city could afford an outdoor swimming facility, considering the city’s other needs and lack of funds.
“The city was subsidizing to operate the pool with tax dollars every year to the tune of about $30,000,” Eveland said.
She said she also didn’t think the city needed an outdoor swimming facility because there is already an indoor swimming pool at the Clintonville High School Rec Center.
“But then I stopped talking and I listened,” Eveland said.
She said she heard from citizens that the indoor pool isn’t a great place for children to be children, and it doesn’t allow users to swim in the sun. She also learned from the older generation why the outdoor swimming pool was originally built.
She said she also heard from those who felt a new outdoor swimming facility would be too expensive, and there was no need for a second swimming facility in the city.
“Then I realized that this is an issue that isn’t about the money, and we don’t have to have a plan to fund the pool to decide to have one,” Eveland said. “Our community needs to start building itself back up to become a place where people want to live, work and play. Until we are a place where people want to do all three of those things, we will continue to lose population and we’ll continue to lose our tax base. Having an outdoor swimming facility could be a catalyst for other things to come.”
Eveland said she is in favor of a swimming pond, which could also be used for ice skating in the winter.
“I understand that we are a population of a limited income, but at some point we have to decide what kind of city we want to be and we have to make it happen,” Eveland said. “I do not yet know how we would pay for this facility, but in the last year I have secured close to $900,000 in grants and technical assistance. There is a lot of money out there. And if the council would commit to a vision of what Clintonville can be, I promise you I will work tirelessly to find a way to make it happen, regardless of how long that might take.
“So I’m here asking for a motion to commit the city to having an outdoor recreational swimming facility of some kind so the community has your decision and our staff can begin the real work of making it happen,” Eveland said.
Clintonville Mayor Richard Beggs said he agreed with Eveland that the city has to decide to do something and then begin the process of working toward that goal.
“Some of you I think support a pool,” Beggs said. “Some of you probably support a pond, and some probably support doing nothing. I don’t think doing nothing is a good option.”
He said he prefers a swimming pool but can “live with a pond.”
“Affordability is always a question,” Eveland said.
Council reaction
Alderman Jim Supanich said the city needs some sort of outdoor swimming facility. He added that the indoor pool at Clintonville High School is a nice facility, but the city needs a place where kids can go where they can be kids.
Supanich said he is in favor of a swimming pond.
Alderman Steve Kettenhoven said he “applauds” Eveland for her comments, adding the city needs to make a decision about the future of the outdoor pool.
“I live on that end of town and I’m constantly hearing from people, ‘When are we going to have something on the south end of town? There’s nothing there for any kids,’” Kettenhoven said. “And they’re not going to trust their kids to walk or bike all the way to the north end of town.”
Kettenhoven said he is in favor of a swimming pond.
Alderman Brad Rokus agreed the city needs to do something to provide the city with an outdoor swimming facility. He made a motion to direct city staff to put together a proposal for a swimming pond and a counter proposal for a swimming pool, and to explore the funding of each option.
Supanich seconded the motion.
During the discussion, Eveland clarified that it needs to be stated that it is the city’s desire to have an outdoor recreational swimming facility, and that the city is not going to act on removing the existing swimming pool.
“We are going to have an outdoor recreational swimming facility,” Eveland said. “I want to make sure that that is part of the understanding of the motion.”
Council President Mike Hankins said he has fought in the past to keep the current pool open, and that he currently favors a swimming pond.
“I think it’s going to be accepting of more people and I think maybe be a better bargain for the taxpayers,” Hankins said. “But I agree with the concept that we need to have this for young people.”
Alderman Ben Huber said the city should consider having a referendum to obtain input from the community.
He added that he approves of and supports the idea of an outdoor swimming facility, but he can’t support it without knowing the costs associated with it.
The motion passed 10-0.
Beggs told the council that he recommended the council pass a commitment motion.
Maggie Tischauser made a motion that the city commit to an outdoor water facility.
Supanich seconded the motion.
Eveland told the council she wasn’t asking for it to commit to a specific plan or project.
“I’m asking you to commit to a vision for the city. … Monetary decision will be considered when an actual project or plan is brought to the council,” Eveland said. “At that time, that’s when the financial decisions would have to be made.”
After more discussion, Alderman Julie Stumbris amended the motion to say, “We are committing to the vision of an outdoor swimming recreational facility.” Supanich seconded the motion.
The motion passed 10-0.
Later in the meeting, the council approved authorizing the city administrator to sign a contract with Wisconsin Lake and Pond Resources LLC to create a master plan for a swimming pond at a cost of no more than $4,650. The funds will come from the city’s operating budget for the outdoor pool.