Hoyt Park pool project nearing reality
Construction could start this spring
March 10, 2010 | 2 comments
Got plans for Memorial Day 2011?
Sure, it's more than a year away, but the Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool hope residents will throw on their swimsuits, grab their towels and slather on sun block, and show up for the opening of its long-awaited aquatic center.
If Wauwatosa Common Council's actions mimic those of the Plan Commission and Community Development Committee this week, the Friends group should receive a conditional-use permit to operate a pool, bathhouse and concessions at Hoyt Park.
That would mean construction can begin this spring.
The council's approval would culminate a nearly three-year process in which volunteers spent thousands hours navigating city and county regulations, raising millions of dollars, looking at pools across the nation, and meeting with community groups to build support.
Something for everyone
The facility plans unveiled Monday incorporate a zero-depth entry area where people can walk right into the recreational pool, much like a beach; tot water play equipment in the shallow areas; a large water slide; and an eight-lane lap pool that can be used for competitive swimming.
Outside the water, visitors will find a sand play area, volleyball courts and a sun deck with umbrellas for relaxing, or participating in tai chi and yoga classes and volleyball courts.
A concession stand will face the park, so people using the playground or walking and bicycling on the trails to Hoyt Park can get a snack and refreshments.
There are also plans to put an addition on the north side of the pavilion where a restaurant will operate year-round under contract to the Friends. An operator had not been chosen yet, but Friends President Denise Lindberg expects to see a moderately priced sit-down restaurant.
Millions raised so far
The Friends have raised $7.7 million in private donations to cover the constructions costs of the aquatic facility, which will be able to handle up to 1,100 swimmers, said Geoff Hurtado of Irgens Development, which is representing the organization. That figure includes $1.5 million from Milwaukee County for capital improvements at the park.
The funding also includes a $1 million endowment for operations, which a stipulation in the 55-year lease agreement with Milwaukee County that started March 1. Daily entrance and programming fees and season passes will be sold to raise revenue.
"We have established a financially self-sustaining operations model," Lindberg said.
Seven years with no pool
The county operated the old pool until 2003, when it was closed due to severe structural problems and difficulty covering operational costs.
The project is based on "a basic premise: an empty park is a dangerous park," Lindberg explained. Over the past two years, vandals have broken into the bathhouse pavilion, set a mattress on fire causing extensive smoke damage, broken 17 windows, and used the empty pool and slide as skateboard ramps.
The bathhouse will undergo extensive remodeling, especially the existing changing and showering facilities.
"It's going to look a lot like the existing building, only spruced up and refurbished," Hurtado said.
By filling it with pool and restaurant patrons, there will be eyes to watch out for crime and a sense of pride and ownership by the community, she said. A fence, lighting, security cameras should also help. The Friends will work with the Police Department to establish a security plan and a code of conduct for patrons.
Strong show of support
Nearly 30 people showed up at Monday's Plan Commission meeting in favor of the project and another 140 sent e-mails in support, hoping to give money when the community fundraising campaign gets under way this spring.
Resident Charlie Opferman visited Hoyt Pool as a child. When he moved to Wauwatosa as an adult, he "was heartbroken" when he learned the pool has closed and he has been taking his child to other suburbs to swim. He can't wait for the new aquatic facility to open.
The pool was a major deciding factor in where Darren Engbring located his family in 1996.
"It was a main reason we moved to the neighborhood," he said, but based on past experience, he does worry about traffic congestion.
A few other residents also expressed concerned about growing traffic counts on Swan Boulevard and Menomonee River Parkway.
"That corner is incredibly busy now," resident David Roettgers said.
If the final project turns out as elaborate as the plans promise, people from all over the Milwaukee area will be coming to Hoyt Park to swim, some residents said.
AT A GLANCE
While still in the planning process, the Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool have submitted proposed hours for programming and operations. A typical summer week's schedule could look like the following:
7 to 8:30 a.m. weekdays: Lap swim
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays: Swim lessons, swim team practice, parent/tot swim in zero-depth
12:30 to 5 p.m. daily: Open swim
5:30 to 7 p.m. weekdays: Swim lessons, swim team practice, parent/tot swim in zero depth pool
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Family swim
9 to 11 p.m. Saturdays: Movie nights and private rentals
Next Step
WHAT: Wauwatosa Common Council will vote on whether to issue a conditional-use permit that will allow a pool, bathhouse and concessions at Hoyt Park
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: City Hall, 7725 W. North Ave.
E-mail Newsletter
Your link to the biggest stories in the suburbs delivered Thursday mornings.
Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter
Get the Newsletter!
More from News and Features
- Business Calendar: Feb. 16-March 28
- Grab a Bite: One Way Cafe: A Tosa Village melting pot
- Teen accused of trying to rob four people
- Business Calendar: Feb. 15-25
- St. Jude embraces history
- Innovation Park road plan reviewed
- Fight in mall parking lot leads to charges (6)
- Police Report: Feb. 8
- Striking a balance between growth and green space
- It can't be business all the time
2 COMMENTS
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
In ground pools can be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the amount of space available in a yard and the functionality you desire. Depths may range from splash areas of 3-to-5 feet to diving pools of 6-to-8 or 10 feet. Avoid installing diving board for the safety of children.
- Share
-
-
0
0
Click thumb to rate
0
0
Please login to rate
My main concern is what kind of element will you be seeing here in Wauwatosa, when this closed there was problems with gangs and theft. My boys stoped going there because of the problems. You will need to have private security to keep this running. Be sure the price of admission is high enough, to discourage people who do not live here. I would ask you you talk to the custodians at Muller building about the hall rentals in the summer. There have been a lot of issues with out of area people who do not care about our parks.
- Share
-
Back to topJimmyBells - Jul 20, 2010 9:29 PM - Report Abuse
moe30 - Apr 18, 2010 9:05 AM - Report Abuse