Milton School District, YMCA looking to collaborate on pool
Questions remain
Here are some questions the Milton School District and YMCA of Northern Rock County have to answer if they collaborate on a pool:
-- Will the pool be on YMCA or district property? Most of the discussion Wednesday focused on a pool at the YMCA site in Crossridge Park, but YMCA CEO Tom Den Boer said he also is open to a pool at a proposed new high school.
Crossridge Park is about a mile from Milton High School by car, but the city plans to create off-road paths between the sites, Administrator Todd Schmidt said.
The district has to decide if it’s willing to transport students to the Y for swim lessons, and officials have to determine what the community prefers, officials said.
-- Who will pay to build and maintain the pool? Nikolay described a scenario where the district pays for the pool and the Y pays for maintenance, but other models exist.
-- Who will staff the pool?
-- Who will handle community swim lessons?
MILTON — Milton School District and YMCA officials hope they can work together on a community pool, though many questions remain.
School district, YMCA and city of Milton officials met Wednesday to talk about the possibility.
The YMCA of Northern Rock County is planning a new facility in Crossridge Park, and the school district is planning a possible referendum for a new high school.
But Milton doesn't need pools at both facilities, Superintendent Bernie Nikolay said.
"I think we can say for certain—I can anyhow—that two pools of a similar scope makes no sense in this community," he said.
Tom Den Boer, YMCA CEO, said the Y will work to accommodate the school district if they collaborate on a pool, including working around the district's schedule.
"As long as the members know up front what times are available (to use the pool), they just schedule themselves accordingly," he said.
The pool at the existing high school serves the whole community, offering swim lessons and open swimming in addition to hosting team practices and competitions. But the aging pool is inefficient and doesn't meet the school's needs, officials have said.
A design team proposal last summer included $4.4 million for construction of a pool with locker rooms.
Officials discussed several collaboration models:
-- In Oconomowoc, the YMCA built a pool on its site and gives the district priority access with no fees attached.
-- In Burlington, the local hospital, city and school district collaborated on a pool at a wellness center next to the high school. The school district paid $500,000 for Burlington Hospital to upgrade its planned pool, and the district pays an annual fee to the wellness center.
-- Mercy Health System, the city of Whitewater and the Whitewater School District collaborated on an aquatics and fitness center attached to Whitewater High School. Mercy turned over management of the center to the Whitewater Aquatics Center Board, appointed by the city and school district, this year after not making as much money as expected.
Nikolay hopes to hold more meetings and gather community input. The district probably will survey residents about a possible collaboration, he said.
"My hope is there is going to be some kind of collaboration," he said. "It seems to make sense financially."
Apr 16, 2009 at 2:24 p.m.
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The YMCA needs to have its downtown Aquatics facility organized, clean, and staffed appropriately before it can take on a project like a collaboration with a High School Facility where the liabilty risk are much greater due to the extension usage primarily by underage swimmers. Lifeguards need to be on the deck and visible for patrons to access in case of an emergency.
Mar 6, 2009 at 7:57 a.m.
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I think it would be great if the Y could build a competition swimming pool in Milton. The Janesville YMCA doesn't ahve a decent size pool. It would cut the expenses for the school district as well.
Mar 5, 2009 at 9:51 p.m.
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Rebuild or build new????
Maybe we need to get a good "revenue stream" started to PAY FOR these ideas before we are "up the creek, without a paddle"...
Think before you build!
Mar 5, 2009 at 12:39 p.m.
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We need a new school like we need a hole in our heads. The economy is in shambles, taxes are going threw the roof, no jobs to make up for GM are you all nuts?
Mar 5, 2009 at 10:31 a.m.
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It is a big step in the right direction. Way to go!
Mar 5, 2009 at 10:12 a.m.
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cardtrader...I agree, but I don't think Milton can support both, which is why there will most likely need to be a joint effort between the school district and YMCA to provide a quality facility that the whole community can use. One of the big hangups in the referendum was the cost of a new high school pool. I think the only way it can pass is if it's able to be used by everyone.
Mar 5, 2009 at 10:04 a.m.
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What the people of Milton want is a nice outdoor Pool Facility so you can be outside to enjoy the sun and warmth of the summer. like what edgerton has.
Mar 5, 2009 at 9:03 a.m.
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This would be a great addition to the Milton community. The high school pool is severely outdated and needs so much work to make it current.
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