La Crosse and school district begin planning for possible North Side indoor pool

La Crosse parks officials and the La Crosse School District on Aug. 21 outlined early plans to explore a joint indoor pool on the city’s North Side, saying aging facilities and limited swim access have created an opening for shared development.

Director Odegaard told the Board of Park Commissioners the Northside Community Pool, built in 1999, originally had a 2020 capital request of roughly $250,000 for pumps and heaters. That estimate has grown to about $1 million, he said, to cover mechanicals, a new pool shell and other deferred maintenance. “This is the epitome of the rising maintenance costs that we as a department are facing,” Odegaard said, calling the conversations with the school district “very preliminary” but important to bring before the board.

Aaron Engle, superintendent of the La Crosse School District, said the district’s indoor pool — built in 1979 and never sized for larger competition — faces its own limitations. Engle emphasized community need for swim lessons and instruction, calling access to swimming “incredibly important to us from an educational and a life‑saving point.” He said the district and city overlap in service area and that a shared facility could keep practices and lessons in the city rather than sending students elsewhere.

Both speakers said they envision a phased process: form a planning committee with city and school district representation, run public information sessions and evaluate funding options. Odegaard said he expects to return next month to request that the park board appoint two members to a planning group to work with district representatives. Engle and Odegaard listed funding paths that could be considered later — including referendum, levy or fundraising — but said no funding decisions have been made.

Commissioners pressed for specifics on location, features and timeline. Engle identified two sites being considered: the current Northside Community Pool at Logan Middle School and the Logan High School site, noting tradeoffs on space and public access at each. Commissioners also asked about depth and features for competitive swimming; Engle said the district is seeking a competition‑capable indoor pool and that design choices would affect cost and programming.

Odegaard warned the board that the Northside pool’s condition is fragile. “Honestly, I’m concerned if it makes it through the winter,” he said, adding that maintenance staff are keeping it operational for now but that a catastrophic failure is possible. The presentation concluded without a vote; staff said next steps will include forming a narrow planning group, public outreach and returning with more detailed proposals and potential appointment requests.