Platteville Family Aquatic Center To Remain Closed For Summer Season, With Uncertain Future

Platteville, WI (May 15, 2024) - The City of Platteville is disheartened to share devastating news of significant structural damages incurred within the cherished Platteville Family Aquatic Center, just as preparations for the 2024 swim season were underway. The pool, a longstanding symbol of summer fun and community togetherness, was filled in anticipation of welcoming eager swimmers when it experienced catastrophic cracking on its walls, floor, and decking.

According to assessments conducted by engineers and technical experts, the root cause of this crisis can be traced back to years of operation with leakage. Parks and Recreation Director Robert Lowe summarized the situation, stating: "We have known for years that the swimming pool was experiencing significant water loss between cracks and broken pipes. Last year, we undertook maintenance efforts to seal cracks and fix pipes, which stopped our annual water loss, amounting to a few millions of gallons each summer. Unfortunately, all those years of seepage affected the subsurface and foundations."

The pool, which has faithfully served the community for over 80 years, with multiple upgrades, had already exceeded its anticipated lifespan. City Manager Clint Langreck expressed the collective heartbreak to be felt by residents, noting the lost opportunities for enjoyment and the challenges faced by pool staff in finding alternative employment. Langreck commented, “Under the guidance of Director Lowe, the city had taken proactive steps in recent years to rehabilitate the pool and plan for its future restoration. Director Lowe presented reports in December 2022 and March 2023 regarding the leakage problems and provided solutions to investigate through contracted experts. Financially, we were able to implement several of these recommendations to find and fix leaks. Still, we fell short of being able to perform a full study of the pool. Director Lowe presented me with a plan to take boring samples in 2024 to help understand the subsurface conditions. I gave guidance on deferring the project until 2025, as there were no funds available in 2024. Unfortunately, the pool filling this spring confirmed what we feared the boring tests would uncover: the subsurface and surrounding grounds have deteriorated past a point of supporting the structure.  The techniques to remedy subsurface earth are very limited, and the cost of performing these attempts, and the confidence in the outcomes, are now moot with the existing conditions. Currently, the pool cannot circulate water, and it poses hazardous safety concerns with the deteriorating walls. Regretfully, I am closing the pool.”  

Langreck emphasized the need for gratitude towards the many supporters of the Platteville Family Aquatic Center and urged a forward-looking approach. "We are now in a position of thanking the many donors, volunteers, staff members, and families for their continued support of the pool and starting the conversation of, 'What do we want to do next?'" he stated.

As the Platteville community grapples with this setback, discussions will ensue regarding the future of their treasured swimming pool. Despite the current challenges, there remains a sense of resilience and determination to explore options with our community partners. Recreation and Community Events Coordinator Adam Bartels commented, “I am working with staff from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on the possibility of utilizing their pool for swim lessons, swim team practices, and open swim/lap swim opportunities. I hope this information will help retain staff enough to make programming possible. Please watch for updates to be announced as we navigate through this process.”

For further updates and information regarding the Platteville Family Aquatic Center, citizens are encouraged to stay tuned to formal announcements from city officials.

City Website: https://www.platteville.org

City Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofplattevillewi

Platteville Family Aquatic Center Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PlattevilleFamilyAquaticCenter

Platteville Parks and Recreation Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/PlattevilleParksandRecreation