For over 34 years, the City of Manitowoc has operated an outdoor municipal pool for the citizens of our community to enjoy.  The outdoor pool at Citizen’s Park was built in 1969 and operated until August 10, 2003 when the facility closed because of a severe leakage problem.  During the course of the municipal pool’s operation, the tax levy for the facility was approximately $100,000 per season and people who used the pool offset only about one-fourth of this operational cost through fees, rentals and concessions.

         In the fall of 2003, Mayor Kevin Crawford appointed 25 members of the community to an ad hoc committee to study the possibility of a new facility in Manitowoc.  The Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center Ad Hoc Committee, consisting of health care professionals, business owners, members of the media, elected officials and City of Manitowoc staff have worked diligently over the last two years to address this important community issue.  The Committee has heard presentations by architects, presentations by fund-raising professionals, and has traveled to four Aquatic Centers in Green Bay, Neenah, Fon du Lac, and Plymouth.  These visits greatly helped the Committee understand what makes an Aquatic Center successful, and what makes it a revenue generator.        

         In December 2004, after fund-raising over $12,000, the Committee hired Water Technology, Inc, from Beaver Dam, an innovator in the Family Aquatic Center concept, to conduct a complete study of site locations, design possibilities, potential aquatic programs, and a comparison of revenues vs. expenses. In February 2005, Water Technology released their initial study to the Committee, including a Program and Need Analysis and Site Selection Analysis.  Based on surveys conducted during the course of their study Water Technology recommended a /family Aquatic Center with a capacity for 1,500 bathers that would include such features as a leisure pool, lap lanes, a water playground and a lazy river, with many of the features being handicapped accessible.  The site would also include a large pool deck with chaise lounges, a picnic area and a concession building with snack and beverage service.

         Informational sessions were held at the Manitowoc City Hall in the spring of 2005 to discuss the study and receive public input on the Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center project and to help determine the location of the facility.  Presentations detailing information about the Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center were also given to townships and villages in Manitowoc County during this time.  The final determination to build the Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center at the Dewey Street location was made this past June, and the site plan and costs were developed by Water Technology, Inc. in July.

         Additional funds were raised last spring and summer in order to hire a fund-raising consultant who would conduct a feasibility study for the new Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center.  Fund-raising consultant Boris Frank conducted over 45 interviews with community leaders and committee members to determine the community’s attitude regarding the project, how the new Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center can best serve the community, and if the Family Aquatic Center can successfully conduct a capital campaign to help pay for the project. 

         Based on the favorable results of the feasibility study, both the City of Manitowoc’s Parks and Recreation Committee and the ad hoc committee felt well prepared to move forward with this project.