Pool Survey Results Are In - Community Strongly Supports Outdoor Aquatic Center!

PLATTEVILLE, WI (November 7, 2024) – After severe damage left the Platteville Family Aquatic Center pool inoperable in summer 2024, the City of Platteville Parks, Forestry, and Recreation Committee formed the Platteville Aquatic Recreation Sub-Committee (PARS) to assess Platteville’s aquatic needs. The committee is tasked with researching options, soliciting community input, assessing current resources and conditions, and presenting potential solutions that align with community feedback and practical considerations, including function, location, cost, funding, and timeline. 

To ensure that the pool project aligns with community wants and needs, the PARS conducted a survey to seek community input and to better understand residents’ top priorities for aquatic recreation. The survey was distributed in various ways: included as a flier in water bills, shared on social media, and displayed in popular local gathering places like coffee shops and stores.

The survey generated a high level of interest and gathered responses from 1,431 community members. The data shows that 84% of respondents are local residents (either city, 69% or township, 15%), highlighting that the majority of feedback is from individuals who are likely to benefit directly from a new aquatic facility. More than half the respondents (55%) have children in their household, which points to a significant level of support from families who may see a direct benefit from an aquatic facility, but also strong interest from households without children.

The vast majority of the respondents (92%) — strongly agree (84%) and agree (8%) — that it is important for the Platteville community to have an outdoor aquatic center; underscoring broad community support for such an amenity. Almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) indicated they would use an outdoor aquatic center at least once a week, reflecting strong potential engagement with the facility.

While General Recreation and Swim Lessons lead in popularity, there is also solid interest in fitness and specialized activities like lap swimming, water aerobics, and water walking. This diversity in activity preferences suggests a need for a versatile facility that can accommodate both casual users and those with specific fitness or competitive interests.

Full survey results are available at www.plattevillepoolsurvey.com. The PARS committee is using the results of the community survey to develop three options to present to the City Council. An update on progress to-date was reported at the November 12, 2024, Council Meeting. A full report and PARS recommendation will be presented to the Common Council by February 17, 2025.