Parks Committee asks staff to pursue longer agreement and equipment transfer in Rothschild–Schofield joint‑use talks with Weston pool

The Parks Committee voted Sept. 22 to direct staff to continue exploring a joint‑use agreement under which the Rothschild and Schofield communities would help fund access to the Village of Weston aquatic center and their residents would be treated as Weston residents for pass pricing.

The committee’s action follows staff presentation of a preliminary framework that would have Rothschild and Schofield pay an annual stipend calculated at $3 per capita based on census population, with the stipend increasing annually by the U.S. Department of Labor series for recreation commodities but capped at 3 percent. Under the draft framework, ownership and operational control of the pool would remain with the Village of Weston; Rothschild and Schofield residents would pay resident prices for annual passes so long as their municipalities remained contractees.

A staff presenter said the original proposed term in the draft is three years with automatic renewal; a municipality could withdraw with notice by Oct. 1 to take effect the following year. “The original agreement would be for 3 years, and it would auto renew thereafter,” the presenter said. Committee members discussed whether a longer initial commitment would be preferable; one motion asked staff to explore a longer term (a 10‑year initial term was suggested in committee discussion) and to identify any pool equipment or furnishings that Rothschild or Schofield could transfer to Weston if their pools close.

Committee members and staff discussed operational impacts: if daily use increases because of additional residents, the pool might see higher chemical and staffing costs; staff said any changes to daily or annual pricing would be considered and that ownership and maintenance responsibilities would remain with Weston. Staff also noted the village already sells a joint pass with another facility and that joint‑pass activity has not historically generated significant revenue compared with potential stipend income.

A motion to continue exploring partnership options, to ask staff to examine a longer initial agreement term and to request staff investigate any usable equipment from partner facilities passed on a voice vote. The motion was made on the record and seconded; the chair called the motion carried by voice vote.

Committee members requested staff return with more detailed financial estimates, sensitivity analysis for capacity and staffing needs, and a list of equipment that could be transferred if partner pools close. No enrollment or rate change will occur unless and until formal intergovernmental agreements are negotiated and approved by the village board.