FDL's Taylor Park Pool considered for closure

FOND DU LAC - It could get tougher to cool off and splash around in Fond du Lac.

The city has two outdoor public pools and is now considering closing one of them, Taylor Park Pool.

In the summer, the facility is home away from home for many local athletes.

"I'm here every morning," swimmer Courtney Stubbe said.

It's one of only two 50 meter pools in the state. A feature, that makes it a hit with local swim clubs.

"If they get their times in a 50 meter pool they're seeded higher, if they make their state cut, at a state meet," Chad Behling, with the Fond du Lac Swim Club explained.

But with general attendance lagging far behind Fairgrounds Aquatic Center, Fond du Lac's other outdoor waterpark facility, Taylor could be on the chopping block.

"The city council needs to cut $1.9 million dollars out of our budget by state law in order to have to have a zero tax levy increase," council member Gary Miller said. "So we are going to be under severe pressure, it's going to be tough."

Miller says a pool who's age, matches its meters, seems a likely cut. But he feels it should stay.

"If you close Taylor Park Pool all of these things go, swim meets go, all of their practice time goes, all of the time that kids have in the pool goes, all the lap time that adults now experience in this pool are gone," Miller added.

But is the pool financially feasible to run? It cost the city about $105,000 to run each year, but brings in just $14,000 for a net tax levy of around $91,000.

Millers says the council will consider all the possibilities.

The swim club understands budgets are tight, but hopes fundraising efforts and swim meets like the one held Friday, can tip the scale.

"If we can show the increase in use at the pool, that goes a long way with our city council," Behling said. "And that's a big plus for us as well, because then we can continue to have their meets, continue to have the club for our summer session."

The city will continue weighing options for Taylor Park at a listening session next week.

A final decision is expected this fall.