Editor’s note: Organizers have announced that the “Save the Pool” meeting has been relocated to the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S. Fremont St., Whitewater.
By Kim McDarison
Several Whitewater area residents have organized under the titled: “Save the Pool,” according to information released by four of the group’s organizers.
According to the release, Cheri Zimdars, Guy Ledwell, Jeff Knight and Geoff Hale have invited residents to join them in an effort to “keep the public informed of the value of Whitewater’s beloved Aquatic and Fitness Center.”
The group has announced it will be holding a meeting, Wednesday, April 5, at 6 p.m., at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S. Fremont St., Whitewater.
As stated in the release, those in attendance will learn about the center’s role, value and commitment to fitness and health in the Whitewater Community.
The group has further announced that it has purchased “Save the Aquatic Center” yard signs which will be distributed at the meeting.
Offering some history, the release noted that the aquatic center is run by the city of Whitewater and the Whitewater Unified School District, which has, in past years, joined through a contractual agreement to operate the facility.
As earlier reported by Fort Atkinson Online, according to city officials, the contract, which was discussed and approved in draft form by members of the Whitewater Common Council with some contingencies, was not signed by the school district when it came due for renewal two years ago.
A meeting of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Subcommittee, which is comprised of representatives from both the Whitewater Common Council and the school board, met earlier this month to begin a negotiating process to develop a new contract. An earlier story about the meeting is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/whitewater-aquatic-center-subcommittee-discusses-operations-finances/.
On Friday, according to an agenda posted on the city of Whitewater’s website, the subcommittee met in closed session, listing as the item to be discussed: “Suggested strategy and recommendations for city of Whitewater negotiations concerning the agreements with the Whitewater Unified School District related to the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center.”
According to the closed-session agenda, the body did not plan to reconvene in open session. A link to the closed-session subcommittee meeting agenda is here: https://whitewater-wi.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03172023-1672.
Within their announcement, organizers of the Save the Pool meeting wrote: “It is hard to understand the standoff and how anyone would see this impasse as good stewardship of our valued facility.
“In light of the (COVID-19) pandemic, the pool was also required to shut down and many programs were not able to be offered, even after the facility reopened. Yet neither party used their COVID relief dollars to offset losses due to closure, nor have they applied for any COVID relief funding to make improvements to the facility.”
Additionally, the group noted that the open-session meeting held by the joint committee earlier this month did not use its allotted two-hour time period as noted on the meeting’s agenda.
City Manager John Weidl and Whitewater Unified School District Board of Education President Thayer Coburn, both responding recently by email, told Fort Atkinson Online that the meeting was concluded after its published agenda was completed.
Referencing the earlier open-session meeting, Save the Pool organizers noted in their release that: “the attendees were pleased they could voice their concerns, but were frustrated at the lack of clarity coming from the elected officials,” adding: “As such, this (Save the Pool) group is hoping to expedite the completion of a new operating agreement, educate the public, and help in any way they can to continue operating the aquatic center in its current state. The city and school district continue to meet behind closed doors, so this group is asking that they discuss their intentions with the public to cultivate transparency and a sense of urgency on this issue.”
During the open-session meeting of the joint committee, during time allotted for public comments, nine members came forward. Most, including Knight, Hale and Ledwell, voiced their support for keeping the aquatic center open.
Additionally, the release stated: “This (Save the Pool) group is encouraging the city and school board to apply for any grants, and to take a second look at how federal and state COVID dollars could have helped the WFAC with improvements and covering their losses during the shutdown.”
On Wednesday, the city released information noted that the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center has begun offering 24-7 access for its members who are 18 and older.
Those interested in learning more about the Save the Pool meeting or would like to obtain a yard sign are encouraged to contact one of the group’s organizing members: Cheri Zimdars: zimdars@hotmail.com or 608-449-5150; Guy Ledwell: ledwellguy@gmail.com or 262-649-7040; Jeff Knight: jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920-728-0662, and Geoff Hale: ghale@hometops.com or (920) 723-2387.
A “Save the Aquatic Center” yard sign is among items that will be made available during a “Save the Pool” meeting organized to take place in Whitewater Wednesday, April 5.
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I have been a member of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center for at least 15 years. As a lap swimmer, I have gained many hours of exercise and a feeling of fitness from that exercise. I swim at least 20 laps per 55 minute session. A side benefit is getting to know others doing fitness and aerobics workouts. They are a great community of people seeking to remain as fit as possible for their age and ability. Many feel this way.
Virginia Laurent
Aquatic Center member