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Ashwaubenon pool reports 1,118 swim-lesson participants, strong resident use in 2024
Summary
Pool staff told the Park and Recreation Board that 2024 was a steady year: 1,118 children completed the learn-to-swim program, the facility hosted 22 swim meets and most program participants are village residents. Staff described staffing and cleaning challenges and said the pool will host regional swim meets in 2025.
The Village of Ashwaubenon’s pool had a steady year in 2024, with 1,118 children completing the learn-to-swim program and 22 swim meets held at the municipal facility, staff reported at the Park and Recreation Board meeting Jan. 21.
The pool’s program summary, presented by Mel (pool staff), showed that the 10-and-under club meet drew 549 swimmers in 2024; Mel said the village will host regional meets in 2025. "2024 was a good year," Mel said, summarizing participation and class caps.
Why it matters: The pool’s lessons and water-exercise classes are a regular municipal program that draws residents and nonresidents and generates rental and pass revenue for the parks department.
Mel told the board most lesson and water-exercise participants are village residents — "in the seventies, maybe even higher, 80, 85% residents," she said — partly because residents receive an earlier registration window. She said many registrants try to sign up immediately when registration opens: "people are staying up and registering at 12:01 to get into our swim lesson program."
Program details provided to the board include: - 1,118 children completed the village’s learn-to-swim sessions in 2024. - The 10-and-under club meet in 2024 reported 549 swimmers; the facility hosted 22 swim meets of varying levels, including high-school and club events. - Water-exercise classes typically hold 25–30 participants and are often full; small-group swim lessons are capped for safety (example: some classes capped at six students). - YMCA rental revenue can be "somewhere between $23,000" depending on usage; the YMCA pays lifeguard and facility fees when it rents the pool.
Mel described operational challenges affecting service: a long-time maintenance worker, Roger Birth, retired in mid-2024; pool cleaning and some maintenance roles are administered by the school district and have experienced turnover among contracted cleaning staff; and one contracted swim clinic did not run in 2024 because the contracted coach could not staff it.
Staff said lifeguard staffing is adequate through the winter months while college students are home but that typical seasonal fluctuations will resume as students return to school. Mel said summer schedules create the most pressure on staffing because of swim lessons and lake programming.
The board asked several operational questions during discussion: how many lesson slots go to residents versus nonresidents (Mel’s estimate: majority residents, roughly 70–85%), how rentals are priced, and why open-swim counts vary month to month (staff noted pass purchases and seasonal changes affect per-visit revenue).
The pool report was removed from the consent agenda for discussion and then included in the consent-items approval later in the meeting.
Looking ahead, staff noted the facility’s role as a regional host for meets brings hotel and restaurant business to the village; operational adjustments and staffing work continue to be priorities for 2025.
