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Pool committee resumes meetings with new vigor

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The Guttenberg pool continues to be a favorite spot for swimmers young and old in spite of its shortcomings — but the decades-old vessel is in need of serious upgrades. (Press photo by Molly Moser)

By Molly Moser

The Guttenberg pool committee resumed meeting after a year-and-a-half hiatus on June 30 in the city council chambers. Members Al Ullerich, MJ Smith, Deb Moser and Molly Moser were in attendance, with Russ Loven opening the meeting by bringing the group up to date. Not present were committee members John Barron, Bec Knudtson, Mary Streich and Jane Parker.

When the committee last gathered in January of 2015, it was after a series of meetings with a representative of Burbach Aquatics. Committee members felt frustrated by the lack of progress, and meetings ceased at that time. “People were dissatisfied with Burbach, but the city feared a lawsuit if we didn’t use them,” said the mayor. “City attorney Mike Schuster corresponded with their lawyer and has said we’re in the clear; we’ve fulfilled our agreement with them.”

Beginning with initial donations in 2013, over $158,000 has been raised and reserved for a pool upgrade. Initial estimates by Burbach described a $300,000-$400,000 investment for minimum upgrades needed to add several additional years of useful life to the decades-old vessel. Immediate concerns to be addressed include the malfunctioning wading pool, the deterioration of the main pool’s north wall, removal of trees and expansion of fenced in area to the north (which has since been completed), and mechanical upgrades. Adding a zero-depth entry, slides, and other water features was also discussed, with estimates including a fully updated bathhouse topping out the funds required at over one million dollars. 

When discussions began in 2013, it was expected that the project would be completed by the 2015 season. Loven explained that the City of Guttenberg is already at 72 percent of its debt capacity. “I can’t speak for the council, but probably we wouldn’t want to spend much money out of the city reserves,” he told the committee, suggesting 2018 as a goal year for completing the project. This would allow a year and a half for planning, financing, and community input, and by that time the city expects to have lowered it’s debt to 50 percent of capacity. 

“I would recommend that we go for a bond referendum, and let the public decide how much they want to spend,” said the mayor. 

“We want it to feel like you could bring a family there, with room for a mom to sit on a lounge chair and watch her kids, while keeping the bobbing area and as many swimming lanes as possible,” said committee member Smith, summarizing the committee’s task. She suggested the group develop a list of questions for recreation directors and that each committee member visit a nearby pool built within the last five years, finding the answers to those questions and returning to compare notes by the group’s August meeting. 

The investigation will include discussion of pool size and size of area for water aerobics, number of lap lanes, and inclusion of diving boards. The committee has long debated the pros and cons of having a separate kiddie pool, and so will be asking about the users of zero-depth entry and what happens in the case of bodily fluids contaminating the water. Members will investigate whether children’s areas include pools, splash pads, slides, or other water features, the cost of those features, and whether or not they continue to be used after initial excitement abates. Other questions will include funding, consultants used, and secrets to staffing. The committee expects to visit at least six pools during July. 

Meanwhile, swimmers continue to enjoy the pool despite its shortcomings, and donations are still being collected and saved in a secure account for its eventual upgrade, whatever form that may take. Checks can be made payable to City of Guttenberg – Pool Fund, and mailed to P.O. Box 580. A full capital campaign will be launched when the design and full cost estimates are decided.

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