PHOTO: Courtesy of Green Bay Parks & Rec
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The price of a three-phase plan to redevelop the Joannes Aquatic Center has increased from $9.45 million to $11.4 million, with city staff recommending the $2.2 million first phase be approved for work next year.
Meanwhile, the city is still looking for 19 more lifeguards ahead of the Saturday openings of the three aquatic pools: Joannes, Colburn and Resch.
A consultant’s report outlined a series of possible upgrades for the Joannes Aquatic Center, which opened in 1996 next to East High School. Public meetings were held earlier to gather feedback on those options.
Now, a revised report has been submitted, detailing a three-phase approach to the project.
“The Joannes Aquatic Center is starting to show its age. The City will have to invest significant dollars in the next few years just to keep the facility open to the public due to general maintenance needs. The Parks Department went through a significant public input process to determine if the public would like to see additional amenities incorporated into facility. The City hired a pool consultant to develop an aquatic center masterplan along with a phasing plan and cost estimates for each phase,” wrote Parks Director Dan Ditscheit. “Staff is recommending approval of the Joannes Aquatic Center Masterplan and Phasing Plan.”
A look at some of what would be included in each of the three phases, as outlined by Parkitecture.
Phase 1, $2.2 million
- Water play features
- Aqua Zip
- Hammock garden
- Basketball hoops
- Shade structures
- Pool mechanical upgrades
Phase 2, $1.6 million
- Water slides tower replacement
- Drop slide
- Pool mechanical upgrades
Phase 3, $7.5 million
- New restroom building
- Splash pad
- Lazy river
- Yard games
- Pedal track
- Jumping pillow
- Mechanical building
- Sewer and electrical work
The items in the masterplan are separate from the short-term work being done to stabilize the towers for the water slides. As a result of that project, the slides at Joannes are not expected to open until July.
As for the pool staffing, the report by Ditscheit included with the agenda says the city hired 46 facility attendants, which is above the goal, but the city is still looking for lifeguards. Specifically:
Colburn has 10 full-time lifeguards and six more are needed to be fully staffed
Resch has 12 full-time lifeguards and three more are needed to be fully staffed
Joannes has 10 full-time lifeguards and ten more are needed to be fully staffed
Open shifts are being filled with subs, the report states.
The Parks Committee meets at 5 p.m. in Room 207 at City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street.
Comments