Platteville subcommittee says pool vessel is irreparable; survey shows strong support for new outdoor aquatic center and a spring referendum

A Platteville committee tasked with studying the city’s outdoor pool told the Common Council on Nov. 12 that engineering reviews show the existing pool vessel is unusable and that a new pool will be required, and the group presented results of a 1,431-response community survey that showed widespread support for a replacement and for a tax increase to pay for it.

The Platteville Aquatic Recreation Subcommittee’s interim report was delivered by Bob Gates, a committee member, and survey presenters Josh D. Smith and Cody Behenick. Gates said two pool contractors, Burback Aquatics and Ricco Inc., examined the pool and concluded the vessel, deck, piping and pool-deck equipment would all need replacement. “If we wanted a pool in Platteville, we’d have to build a new pool,” Gates said.

Why it matters: the committee said rebuilding at the current location is the preferred option because it avoids some site-acquisition costs and could reuse features such as the bathhouse and slide; the committee recommended a referendum during the April 2025 election cycle to seek voter approval for funding before construction costs rise further.

The committee said Braun Intertek, hired by the city’s insurer, found a two- to four-inch gap between the pool vessel and underlying ground but drilled only one to two feet and therefore could not confirm deeper suitability. The subcommittee then contracted Chosen Valley Testing to perform geotechnical borings to 25 feet; the borings were completed Oct. 30 and results were expected by the next council meeting.

Survey results: Smith said the subcommittee received 1,431 responses, of which about 89% were city or township residents and 69% were city residents. The respondents skewed 25–64 years old; 55% reported children in the household. On whether an outdoor aquatic center is important, 92% of respondents agreed to some extent, Smith said. When asked whether they would support a tax increase for a new facility, 66% of respondents leaned toward supporting a tax increase; 17% opposed it. The most-requested feature was a zero-depth (beach) entry; respondents also favored general recreation space, swim lessons and slides.

Committee timeline and next steps: Gates told the council the subcommittee intends to present a proposed referendum question at the Nov. 26 meeting as an informational item, then return for a formal council action at the Dec. 10 meeting; the group said timing is constrained because the council must submit referendum language to the county clerk by mid-January to be on an April ballot. Gates warned that delaying a year could raise construction costs “close to $500,000” based on current inflation estimates.

Other details and open questions: the committee identified five potential sites and concluded the current site remains the best option based on elevation, proximity to parks and schools, transportation access and the possibility of reusing existing support structures. The subcommittee also reported an estimated cost to remove the existing pool vessel and associated systems; earlier committee minutes cited an estimate to remove the vessel and backfill the site (reported in committee minutes as about $100,300). The committee has not yet approached township governments about cost-sharing because a city referendum would only change taxes for city residents.

The subcommittee posted full survey results and a FAQ page at Plattevillepoolsurvey.com and said the site is public. The council asked staff to bring the Chosen Valley testing results and the finalized referendum language to the next meeting.