By Dorothy Borchardt
Circle of Friends

Since the Warner Park Community Recreation Center-Circle of Friends (WPCRC-CoF) received the needed letter from the mayor saying he supports the Northside pool, the CoF has been working to comply with a couple of requirements in the mayor’s letter. One requirement was that the feasibility study would need to evaluate not just the capital needed to build the pool, but also the operation cost for the pool once it is built. The CoF has requested bids for the capital and operating study. The mayor’s other requirement was that we needed the support of the two Northside alders to do the study. Alder Palm told me he didn’t care if we did the study but he didn’t support a pool at WPCRC. Alder Kemble sent an email saying she was okay with the CoF doing the study as long as the city didn’t have to pay for it.

The mayor’s letter also mentioned that there is a planned expansion of the WPCRC that would conflict with the pool plans. The CoF has known for years the WPCRC needed additional meeting rooms for programs and other activities. The CoF plan for WPCRC includes the needed additional meeting space. Depending how the expansion is laid out, both needs can be met at WPCRC — the meeting space and also the pool.

When the WPCRC was built, it was placed in the only open area in the park that will support a pool. If the city goes ahead with their planned expansion that is in conflict with the pool, the Northside will never have a public pool. The public was not invited to participate in the expansion planning process. Why haven’t there been any public meetings? Let the mayor and your alder know you support the Warner pool. The mayor’s email is mayor@cityofmadison.com. Alder Larry Palm’s email is district12@cityofmadison.com. Alder Rebecca Kemble’s email is district18@cityofmadison.com. I don’t think they are aware of all the support for the pool in our community.

Email dborchardt1@charter.net for more information. Go Northside!