Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
It is time to hire lifeguards for the outdoor swimming pool in Clintonville this summer, but Clintonville Parks and Recreation Director Justin McAuly doesn’t know for sure that the pool will be open.
McAuly told the city’s park and recreation commission this week that he plans to fill the pool about a month early this spring to make sure all the pumps and equipment are working correctly. The original equipment is more than 30 years old.
The pool house also needs work after being damaged by a fire of unknown origin last winter. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is assisting with the investigation.
City Administrator Chuck Kell said the damages total about $60,000.
The Common Council has debated the future of the pool several times over the last few years. It decided last year to keep the pool open at least one more season if there were no major problems or repairs needed.
An ad hoc committee was formed to research options for the city, prepare plans and report back to the park and recreation committee.
With no plan in place, however, city officials are wary of spending money on repairing the pool house. Kell said the insurance company would issue the city a check if the city wants to repair the pool house. If the pool house is not repaired, the city will get about 20 to 25 percent less from the insurance company, he said. But if the city decides to fix it in a year or two, the insurance company will make up the difference.
McAuly has recommended that the council set up a special revenue account with the intent of raising $10,000 for a pool study. If the goal is not met, the money would be used for something else benefiting the community.
Even without a formal fund drive, about $1,000 has been raised for the pool. Kell also reported that auditors also located a fund with a small amount of money that might help fund the plan.