Hoyt Park Pool group now ready to take next step
Plan Commission to hear Friends' proposal next week
March 3, 2010 | 0 comments
Seven years after Milwaukee County closed the pool at Hoyt Park, a group of residents is ready to bring a new and improved aquatic center to the park.
Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool will appear before the Plan Commission Monday to present plans and request a conditional-use permit to operate a pool, bathhouse and concessions in the park.
The group is working with Irgens Development and will bring detailed plans to the commission, Friends President Denise Lindberg said.
While a pool had operated there for more than 60 years, the city has to approve that usage, said Alderman Dennis McBride, who sits on the Friends board. A conditional use gives the city some control in case problems should arise in the future.
"We haven't moved forward until now because we had to demonstrate the ability to not only build the project but be able to operate it," he said.
The group spent the better part of the past two years soliciting private donations and coupled with the $1.5 million earmarked for capital improvements by County Executive Scott Walker, the project now has $7.7 million behind it, Lindberg said.
Raising the money puts the Friends' lease with Milwaukee County into effect. At $1 per year rent, the group has prepaid a 55-year lease putting them in charge of the building construction and eventually aquatic facility operations.
If the approval process goes smoothly, groundbreaking could occur as early a June, McBride said.
The next step is a community campaign, where the Friends will be asking residents to contribute another $500,000 for amenities such as diving boards, starting blocks, lounge chairs, a tot aquatic play area and a large water slide.
Those additional dollars will "make this a complex that people will be delighted with and proud of," McBride said. "We think that the community will help bring this project home."
The county closed the former pool, saying severe structural problems caused water leaks that made operations too expensive. Since then, the property has become blighted and is a regular target for vandals.
It's important to have a "community investment" aspect to the fundraising so people can show their enthusiasm and support, Lindberg said.
Next Step
WHAT: Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool will bring plans for a new aquatic facility to the Plan Commission
WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday
WHERE: Wauwatosa City Hall, 7725 W. North Ave.
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