Frequently Asked Questions
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General Information
1. Who are the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool?
The Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool (FOHPP) is a not for profit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community by supporting the development, maintenance, and ongoing operation of a medium-sized outdoor family pool at Hoyt Park, while preserving the natural beauty of the surrounding park and adjacent Menomonee River Parkway.
Our goals include:
- Seek additional major sources of matching gift funding to raise $4 million to match the challenge grant from the TOSA Foundation.
- Insure that the design and operation of the new pool meets the needs of the community.
- Provide volunteer opportunities to actively engage the community in the pool pre-construction fund-raising and post-construction operations.
In July 2006, the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool group was given 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Your donations to the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool's mission are tax deductible.
Visit the About FOHPP for more information on the Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool.
2. What’s happening with Hoyt Pool?
Milwaukee County closed Hoyt Pool in 2003 citing severe structural problems causing water leaks that made operations too expensive. In 2006 FOHPP formed to rebuild the pool and bring a 100-year swimming tradition back to Hoyt Park.
In June 2007 FOHPP received a $4 million challenge grant from the TOSA Foundation, and is currently launching a comprehensive capital campaign to raise the matching funds.
In addition, FOHPP successfully negotiated a 55-year lease with Milwaukee County in July 2007 giving FOHPP control over the design/build process and the ongoing operations of the new pool at Hoyt Park.
3. What is the next step?
The next step for FOHPP is to raise the $4 million required to earn the matching grant from the TOSA Foundation. A capital campaign has been
established to seek additional contributions. Honorary co-chairs of the campaign are John and Tashia Morgridge of the TOSA Foundation.
4. How do I contact the Friends of Hoyt Park?
E-mail FOHPP at FOHPP@wi.rr.com or visit the contact us page to send a message.
Donations and written correspondence may be sent to:
P.O. Box 13936
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Fundraising
5. Didn’t FOHPP get $4 million last year
FOHPP received a $4 million challenge grant from the TOSA Foundation in June of 2007. The TOSA Foundation is the family foundation of former Wauwatosa residents John and Tashia Morgridge. The Morgridges are supporting this project to preserve the legacy of Hoyt Park – the recreational swimming and public gathering space that contributed to the summers they enjoyed in their youth. The challenge grant structure is designed to harness community support and gain broad “ownership” of this project for years to come.
We have worked with fundraising professionals to design a campaign plan that harnesses the resources available in the greater Milwaukee area. Visit the Learn More section for information on the campaign stages.
6. How much money will FOHPP need to spend from donations and grants to achieve our goal and maintain the facility in its current state?
The total project is estimated at $8 million. It is currently estimated that the design and build of a new community pool will cost approximately $6 million to build. Our lease agreement with Milwaukee County requires a total of $6.25 million to be raised before construction can begin.
The FOHPP would like to raise an additional $2 million for a reserve fund. These funds are intended to augment the operating budget as necessary to support the ongoing operating and safety needs of the pool and park environment. These funds will be controlled and administered by the 13-member governance board.
The $4 million pledged by the TOSA Foundation will provide $3 million for the design and build and $1 million for the reserve fund.
7. Is it true FOHPP needs to raise four million before one dime of the matching grant will kick in or does it match dollar for dollar up to four million?
The initial $3 million from the TOSA Foundation becomes available after $3 million is raised from other sources. When another $1 million is raised above the original $3 million, the TOSA foundation will match that million bringing the total grant to $4 million. At this point $8 million will have been raised for the project.
8. What will happen to money that is donated if FOHPP cannot raise enough to build the pool?
We are confident that we will reach our goal, but, in the event that the FOHPP cannot meet the requirements of the TOSA Foundation, any money raised for the Hoyt Park and Pool will go towards improvement to Hoyt Park as designated by the FOHPP governing board.
9. Why isn’t the County paying for this pool?
By late summer 2006, it became apparent that Milwaukee County was not in the budgetary position to fund the re-build of the pool. At this point the focus turned to developing strategies for privately funding a new pool.
This is a new paradigm for a public/private partnership that will allow the pool to be built without creating additional tax burden. We believe the independent, non-profit entity, Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool, is the best entity to maintain accountability for all aspects of the project over time. The long-term lease that FOHPP negotiated will allow the project to maintain its independence for years to come.
Operations
10. How will the pool be governed in the future?
A 55-year long-term lease was negotiated with the county. The terms of the lease stipulate that the FOHPP would be the independent operators of the pool and the FOHPP board will be the governing body for the facility.
11. How will the pool be managed after it is built?
Ongoing oversight will be provided by FOHPP, an independent nonprofit organization led by a board of directors with broad community representation. FOHPP will operate the new pool under a lease agreement with Milwaukee County. All aspects of the pool operations, including maintenance, rules, staffing and security, would be overseen by the FOHPP board.
12. Will the pool and park be safe?
Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool will establish and enforce a code of conduct to maintain a high level of safety and assure a family-friendly environment. FOHPP will also adopt policies that have been used successfully at other pools in similar communities to effectively maintain the desired atmosphere. We will seek input and expert advice from the Wauwatosa Police Department, the Milwaukee County Sherriff's Department, and the recently established park ranger program. These local resources will be utilized to the fullest extent available to identify strategies for a safe environment in the pool and surrounding park.
13. What if the pool has an operating loss?
FOHPP and the TOSA Foundation have been forward thinking in the planned creation of a reserve fund. This reserve fund is specifically designed to help the pool’s operating entity withstand more challenging times and preserve the long-term integrity of the project. Additionally, the FOHPP has developed a sustainable business model based on other successful pools built in Wisconsin recently.
Community
14. What can I do to help the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool achieve their goals?
Volunteer Your Time
Both people and money are needed to make this project a reality. Contact FOHPP@wi.rr.com to support our fundraising efforts and join us at one of our events!
Visit our contact us page for more information.
Make a Financial Contribution
You can donate to the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool by mail. Checks should be made payable to the
Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool and mailed to:
Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool
P.O. Box 13936
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
or Donate now, online via Pay Pal
15. What opportunities does the public have to learn about FOHPP plans?
The Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool welcomes the opportunity to share information about the project with the community.
The best way is to arrange a "Hoyt Perk" for your group by contacting us at FOHPP@wi.rr.com. We will set up a meeting at your convenience for your community group, neighborhood association, or your group of neighbors and friends right at the historic Hoyt Park bathhouse
16. We can swim somewhere else. Why should I support this project?
Parkland and local recreational activities like swimming are critical components of the perceived value of owning property in a community. Further, a community athletic facility contributes to the health and well-being of citizens of all ages. Lastly, maintaining a tradition many of us grew up with – riding our bikes to the local pool or park -- will refresh the vitality of our community and provide an essential community asset.
©2009 Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool - All rights reserved Friends of Hoyt Park is a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation P.O. Box 13936, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 |
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