A rendering of the splash pad at Kaukauna's new Aquatic Center. PC: Fox 11 Online
KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The city of Kaukauna is raising money to expand and renovate its pool.
The estimated cost of the new Aquatic Center is $6 million. The city is hoping to raise $1 million through its Something for Everyone Campaign to fund the new enhancements.
Summer is 7-year-old Hayden Hart’s favorite time of the year.
When it’s warm out, she likes to spend time at Kaukauna’s Municipal Pool.
“I sometimes play with friends and I want to come to the pool more often,” said Hart.
But next summer, Hayden says she plans on coming to the pool more often than she plans on now.
“I’m really excited,” said Hart.
That’s because Kaukauna will be renovating and expanding it’s current pool into a brand new Aquatic Center.
“Our pool was last renovated back in 1991, back then it was the Cadillac of all pools, now here we are 30-something years later and it’s time to renovate this pool,” said Kaukauna Mayor Tony Penterman.
Some improvements to the facility will include:
- Splash Pad
- Water Slide
- Mini-Golf Course
- Climbing Wall
- Yard Game Area
- Shaded Family Seating Zones
“Pools are only open typically three months out of the year,” said Penterman.
Penterman says having amenities like a splash pad and mini-golf course, the center can open earlier or close later in the season bringing in more money for the city.
“We can open up maybe early May and go through August, September and maybe even into October,” said Penterman.
“We’re going to have a new buzz, a new excitement here and everybody’s going to be coming to swim and there’s going to be something for everyone,” said Jeff Malloy, Kaukauna’s Recreation Program Manager.
Malloy says having the new Aquatic Center will bring people from all over the Valley to Kaukauna.
“If you like to hang out and chill we’re going to have the chaise lounges and the zero-depth area where you can do that, so we’re going to have a lot more things for people to do here,” said Malloy.
“We’re really excited about the splash pad, and the new slide and the bigger pool, all of it,” said Jessica Dempsey, a Kaukauna resident.
Dempsey comes to the pool at least once a week with her kids.
“This pool has been the same since I was a kid so I’m super, super excited to have all new things and it’s going to be great,” said Dempsey.
The Aquatic center will cost $6 million to build.
- $1 million – Capital Campaign
- $1.5 million – Tax Increment Financing
- $3 million – City Borrowing (tax payers)
- $500,000 – Parks & Pools Capital Funds
The campaign has reached just over $800,000.
Construction is slated for August of this year.
“We’re looking at Summer of 2024 to open so we’re told that that’s possible,” said Malloy.
The campaign still accepting donations. For more information on how to donate, click here.
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