The Friends of Hoyt Park Pool group received the go-ahead from the Common Council to operate a pool, bathhouse and concession stand at the park. Construction could begin this spring with the facility open in 2011.
The Friends have raised $7.7 million in private donations to cover the constructions costs of the aquatic facility, which will be able to handle up to 1,100 swimmers.
Are you looking forward to having this facility, especially considering the old pool was shut down in 2003? Do you have concerns about traffic or other problems at the pool? Let us know what you think in our interactive forum.
(13) Read All ResponsesI think it's a good thing for Tosa, one of the best things to do during the summer was to go swimming at hoyt park and after it closed there was hardly any place to go swimming. Should be good for the kids.
Time will tell if it will be for our kids or if other neighborhood kids will take over and cause trouble again. We have NOTHING on this side of town. Therefore; I usually head to Waukesha county with my kids.
If you have to ask, it must be a concern. In an area that has weather like Wisconsin, why take the risk for swimming? Our parks are already lovely community centers. Why add any additional challenges may making them more busy?
It will be an absolutely gorgeous place, built with an astronomical amount of public and private dollars. Unfortunately, it will be plagued by the exact same problems that ruined the "family experience" at the old Hoyt pool. Poorly behaved punks who never learned the rules of respect and civility (and yes many of them will be minorities from Milwaukee) will be customers just as they were before. It's not a racist thing to say, it is simply a fact based on historical record and reality. When the "non-profit volunteer pool administrators" try to address the problems, they will be afraid of being labeled as discriminatory so they won't have the nerve to put any policies in place to effectively deal with the trouble-makers (such as those that mayfair was forced to adopt.) After one or two years, Wauwatosa residents will abandon the Hoyt pool as an entertainment option, and will once again go to Waukesha County pools, or join private health clubs. I truly wish I could be more optimistic, but I can't.
I think it is a great idea if we could only use it for Wawatosa residents, but that is not what will happen. We already have had many problems with theft and vandalism. Who is going to police this area? Is it going to be more of a burden on our Police?
Stay with me folks. We get at tax free pool run by COMMUNITY members. That was not the case before and is structured as a community gathering place. This is a great thing. Maybe put some of your money into the final phase, join the Friends group and be part of the answer to your issues. It is funny to me the hearning negative comments yet these people obviously would not show their face at the public input opportunities. It was overwhelmingly supported by emails, calls and people in the audience. Wake up and get with the program, this is a new day. Even the police chief supported the pool. Now it time for you to look to the positives.
all is really nice in theory but, who provides security, 24/7
I'm looking forward to it. It's such a waste right now, not to mention an eyesore. I know it took years to get this funding...and congratulations to those so dedicated to seeing this project come true! Well done. I know I'll be there!
GREAT JOB HOYT TEAM....... Looking forward to spending time at the pool with my family and friends during the summer. I am a firm believer that the HOYT TEAM has vetted out the potential problems others have brought forth and solutions to minimize what others believe will be the demise of the pool before its even open.
After years of dealing with problems associated with Hoyt, many of us in the neighborhood were thrilled to see it close. I don't know a single person in my neighborhood that is happy to see it re-open. Maybe the direct neighbors should have been surveyed as to their opinions. No thanks!!
This is terrible for the neighborhood. Anyone who thinks the pool will magically return to the halcyon days of old are delusional. Open your eyes people. Maybe all the people who think this is so wonderful can spend a few weeknights policing the place. Thank god I don't live right next to the park . . .
I DO live next to the park, and like many of my neighbors we are not looking forward to going back to the days of trouble in our alleys, garage break ins, etc., that were directly related to the pool hours and traffic. And for the gentleman who said none of us complained at town meetings, well, that would be false. One neighbor who did this was booed and harrassed, and the rest of us laughed at and ignored. I agree that in theory if Hoyt could be run like Elm Grove Pool, it would be an asset to our neighborhood. But this will be a county pool, not a Wauwatosa pool, and subject to county regulations. I just don't want to see the security issue dealt with only AFTER problems have already begun. There should be a security policy, and security officers present, BEFORE problems begin. I will be cautiously optimistic - but let me state right now to "Friends of Hoyt Pool" that I will be the first one to call the police when there are problems, and many of my neighbors will be right there with me. Just wondering - will any of these big supporters be there with their checkbooks to reimburse us for lost property values due to trouble at Hoyt? I would guess not.
Me first, well my family first. Looking forward to this great place for families and friends to meet. Great job Friends of Hoyt. THANK YOU.