GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A Green Bay city committee has delayed a vote on plans for a new pool at Colburn Park, as they consider two options with some folks unhappy with the most likely one.
On Wednesday, committee members were presented the two options: a 50-meter, Olympic-sized pool and a more cost effective 25-yard pool.
Currently the budget for a new Colburn Park pool is $4.5 million, after $1 million of that was raised by the community. The 50-meter option is estimated to cost $6.8 million. The other option is a 25-yard pool, estimated to cost less than $5 million.
Elise Lasecki believes having a 50-meter pool is essential.
“My daughter’s very close to making some time standards in long course at the national level and it’s just important for our kids to be able to train there,” Lasecki told FOX 11.
Alderman Chris Wery, who’s been working on the Colburn Pool project for the last few years, says the 50-meter pool would be ideal, but unrealistic.
“It would still be able to host some meets. It would be the 25 yard, by 8 lanes, plus some zero-depth entry and a diving well. It would be a great pool,” Wery explained, adding that major donors to the fundraising effort are okay with the smaller field. “I anticipate probably going with the smaller option at this point to keep everything on schedule and from everyone I’ve talked to, they’re fine with just saving a pool at this point.”
Lasecki says she’s one of dozens of people who helped raise that money, and says that the smaller pool isn’t good enough.
“I don’t think that’s something we will support. We have an indoor 25 yard facility that we are able to use and we don’t have to deal with the elements,” Lasecki said.
The committee voted to send both options back to the consultant and city staff to see if any more money can be saved. Both options will be discussed again in the next two weeks.
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