Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool?
- What is the mission of the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool?
- What can you do to help the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool achieve their goals?
- What was in the NAC presentation to the Milwaukee County Aquatics Committee and to the Wauwatosa School Board?
- What are some Wisconsin examples of new-style pool complexes?
- Wasn’t there originally a plan to have the county use our tax dollars to re-build the pool when the supervisors held a meeting at the Tosa? Library in November, 2005?
- What's happening with Hoyt Pool?
- What's the next step?
- Who's going to run the new pool?
- What is FOHPP doing to make sure the new pool facility will be a safe, family-friendly place to spend the summer?
- Will the Wauwatosa Superintendent of Schools be on the 13-member FOHPP governing board?
- Why did the Goodman Pool in Madison, WI, have a $100,000 shortfall after its inaugural year?
- What opportunities does the public have to learn about FOHPP plans?
- What will happen to the donated money if the FOHPP cannot raise enough to build the pool?
- How does a non-profit organization acquire a fifty-five year lease at one dollar per year of a run down county swimming pool?
-
Is it true they need 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?
-
How much money will they need to spend from donations and grants to
achieve their goal and also maintain the facility in its current
state?
-
How many years will take to raise that much money, if it’s not
attainable, then what?
-
Who is liable for injury, maintenance and all costs associated with
this parcel of county land once the lease has been issued, where
does that money come from and doesn't Milwaukee County demand some
type up front bond payment?
Q1: Who are the Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool?
A: 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.
Our goals include:
- Seek private donor and foundation “grand gesture” legacy gifting.
- Launch and manage the TOSA Challenge Capital Campaign to raise $4 million to match the challenge grant from the TOSA Foundation to construct the new community pool at Hoyt Park.
- Insure that the design and operation of the new pool meets the needs of the community. Communicate with the community about the current status of re-building the pool at Hoyt Park.
- Provide volunteer opportunities to actively engage the community in the pool pre-construction fund-raising and post-construction operations.
Q2: What is the mission of the Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool?
A: Our 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.
Q3: What can I do to help the Friends of Hoyt Park and Pool achieve their goals?
A: Volunteer
Both people and money are needed to make that happen. Volunteer to
help us at one of our events.
Donate What You Can
Lawn signs are available. In addition to
purchasing a lawn sign, you can donate to the Friends of Hoyt Park &
Pool by mail. Checks should be made payable to the Friends of Hoyt Park
& Pool.
Mail your checks to:
Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool,
Inc.
P.O. Box 13936
Wauwatosa, WI 53213.
Q4: What was in the NAC presentation to the Milwaukee County Aquatics Committee and to the Wauwatosa School Board?
A: Even prior to the closing of Hoyt Pool five seasons ago, citizen-based Strategic Planning Committee process (final report, 2/9/99) revealed that Wauwatosa residents wanted a new-style pool to meet the recreational needs of all its residents – from toddlers to senior citizens.
New designs have revolutionized outdoor community pool complexes throughout the U.S. in the past fifteen years and have become popular local recreational options for their residents. A design that is family-friendly, as well as welcoming to adult users, is a critical component. A new-style pool complex would significantly enhance the summertime quality-of-life for residents if built at the current Hoyt Pool location.
A new-style pool complex meeting recreational needs of the entire community was defined as:
- Family-friendly, as well as welcoming to adult users, such as seniors
- Zero-depth entry along one side of the pool
- Heated water (both toddler-friendly and adult preference features)
- Pool includes lap-swimming lanes for aquatics club meets and training, a waterslide, interactive water-play equipment, and a diving well
- Pool area includes giant “funbrellas” for shade, lounge chairs, elaborate sand-play equipment, a large sand play area, and sand volleyball courts
- Confines include concessions, dining and picnic tables
- Unobstructed lines of vision for all areas within the confines: pool, sand area, and concessions (a critically important family-friendly feature)
Early E-mail Support and Feedback
in Fall of 2005
The NAC received emails from residents with the
following requests:
- A modern pool complex that is family-friendly (e.g., Cedarburg Pool Complex)
- Clear rules and regulations strictly enforced
- Safe and well-run
- Financially self-sustaining, including revenue from concessions
- Summertime memberships for families and discounts for seniors.
Q5: What are some Wisconsin examples of new-style pool complexes?
A: The following list contains links to new-style pool complexes.
- Cedarburg Community Pool
- Watertown Aquatics Center
- Wirth Aquatic Center Brookfield
- City of Sun Prairie Family Aquatic Center
Q6: Wasn’t there originally a plan to have the county use our tax dollars to re-build the pool when the supervisors held a meeting at the Tosa Library in November, 2005?
A: That was the original intent. Unfortunately, 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.
Q7: What’s happening with Hoyt Pool?
A: Milwaukee County closed Hoyt Pool in 2003 citing severe structural problems causing expensive water leaks that made operations too expensive. In 2006 the Friends of Hoyt Park & Pool (FOHPP) formed to rebuild the pool and bring a 100-year swimming tradition back to Hoyt Park.
In June, 2007 FOHPP announced a $4 million challenge grant from the TOSA Foundation, and is currently in the process of developing a comprehensive capital campaign to raise the matching funds.
A: The next area of focus for FOHPP is to raise the $4 million required to earn the matching grant from the TOSA Foundation. Planning is currently underway for a capital campaign that will seek additional private donor and foundation contributions. Chairpersons are Don and Mary Jo Layden, long-time residents of Wauwatosa. Honorary co-chairs are John and Tashia Morgridge.
In addition, we continue to conduct research and planning on all the aspects of the pool build (architecture, design, build, etc.) so we are prepared to move forward when we reach our campaign goals. .
A: 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 a 13-member board.
It is anticipated that the FOHPP board will include representatives from the local and county levels, along with the school district, recreation department and local swim club directors, as well as community volunteers.
Q10: What is FOHPP doing to make sure the new pool facility will be a safe, family-friendly place to spend the summer?
A: Strict and enforced codes of conduct will provide a safe, welcoming family atmosphere for all pool patrons. FOHPP will seek input and expert advice from the Wauwatosa Police Department. This local resource will be utilized to the fullest extent available to identify strategies for a safe environment in the pool and surrounding park.
In addition, FOHPP has committed to the establishment of a designated safety fund, which will provide the resources needed to implement technology and personnel solutions to create the safest possible facility for the community.
Q11: Will the Wauwatosa Superintendent of Schools be on the 13-member FOHPP governing board?
A: Ultimately, participation of the Wauwatosa School District on the governing board will be the decision of both the Wauwatosa School Board and the Superintendent of Schools. We believe that the Wauwatosa Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee will be an important member of the governing board when the pool is operational.
The Wauwatosa Recreation Department is under the jurisdiction of the school system and will be an important partner in providing programming at the new pool. The natural designee would probably be the Director of the Wauwatosa Recreation Department.
Q12: Why did the Goodman Pool in Madison, WI, have a $100,000 shortfall after its inaugural year?
A: The admission rates for the Goodman Pool were set by the City of Madison’s Common Council the first year of its operation. FOHPP has communicated frequently with the City of Madison’s Superintendent of Parks since the late summer of 2006, and FOHPP has formulated its model of financial sustainability based on the learnings and information that were received about the operations of Madison’s Goodman Pool.
Q13: What opportunities does the public have to learn about FOHPP plans?
A: There are many opportunities:
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Arrange a "Hoyt Perk" for your group by contacting us. 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 bathhouse
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FOHPP will be presenting an update at an upcoming Wauwatosa School Board meeting as it has in the past.
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FOHPP will also be looking for an opportunity to present at the City of Wauwatosa Common Council meeting the whole sometime this fall.
Q14. What will happen to the donated money if the FOHPP cannot raise enough to build the pool?
A: The TOSA Foundation matching grant becomes available only after $3 million is raised from other sources. When another $1 million is raised above the original $3 million, the TOSA foundation will match it as well bringing the total pledge grant to $4 million. This means that a total of $8 million will have been raised.
Construction of the pool will begin when $6.24 million is raised.
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 13-member Governing board.
Q15. How does a non-profit organization acquire a fifty-five year lease at one dollar per year of a run-down county swimming pool?
A. In order to secure
philanthropic donations, FOHPP needed to take
Q16. Is it
true they need 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?
A. The challenge grant is structured in two pieces. There is an initial $3 million, which will be matched once $3 million is raised from the community. According to original budget estimates, the total of $6 million is targeted for the design and build of the new pool. An additional $1 million will be gifted once we raise the last $1 million from the community, the total of $2 million is targeted for two funds established to support ongoing operations and safety.
Q17. How much money will they need to spend from donations and grants to achieve their goal and also maintain the facility in its current state?
A. It is currently estimated
that the community pool will cost $5.9 million dollars to build.
As a part of our lease with the county, a total of $6.25 million must be
raised before construction can begin. This includes the initial $3
million challenge grant from the TOSA Foundation.
Q18. How many years will take to raise that much money, if it’s not attainable, then what?
A. The County has given the FOHPP two years to raise the money. If the FOHPP does not raise the money in that time period, the FOHPP would have to renegotiate the lease.
Q19. Who is liable for injury, maintenance and all costs associated with this parcel of county land once the lease has been issued, where does that money come from and doesn't Milwaukee County demand some type up front bond payment ?
A. The FOHPP is responsible
for the pool site and the historic bathhouse. The county
maintains responsibility for all other aspects of the park.
Insurance will be acquired by the FOHPP as part of its operations
budget.