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Push to keep public pools from closing: County Board chairwoman hosts listening session at Pulaski Pool

Published  March 22, 2015 7:05pm CDT
Milwaukee County
FOX 6 Now Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- In a push to keep public pools from closing, Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic held a listening session at the Pulaski Indoor Pool on Sunday afternoon, March 22nd.

"Bring your friends and family for a dollar days swim," Dimitrijevic said. "I'll be there to welcome you and listen to your concerns about our neighborhood. Come check out this great resource in our neighborhood."

County executives have proposed closing pools, and Dimitrijevic has led successful efforts to restore funding to keep the Pulaski and Noyes Park pools open. In 2013, Stan Kass donated $100,000 to keep the pools open.

"Pulaski Indoor Pool is an invaluable resource in our community," Dimitrijevic said. "That`s why I fought so hard to keep it open. It is a great place for recreation -- especially during the long winter months. But it`s not enough just to keep the doors open. It is our responsibility to let the community know that the pools are open and that everyone is welcome. (Pulaski Pool) was slated for closure two times in the last couple of years, but there was a great community outcry to keep it open. We have invested in a new roof and boiler system. We want everyone to know that this pool is here to stay. We've made a policy decision to keep the pools open, and invest in their infrastructure."

“I feel that Pulaski Pool is kind of a staple. If your kids can’t go to the park and play – where are they going to go? For awhile, it was as if people were hearing grumbling amongst themselves.  Now, seeing that it is being recognized and it is brought to their attention how important it is -- it’s kind of refreshing that the voice isn’t just a voice – that it’s being heard. The turnout is getting greater. If the kids aren’t coming here to play, who knows what they are doing. This is a good resource to get families back together instead of everyone watching TV or playing video games. It brings the family back together to being a family instead of everyone going in different directions," Tracy Alvarez said.

Sponsored by Milwaukee County Parks, "dollar days" at Pulaski Indoor Pool were held on Thursday, March 5th, Wednesday, March 11th and Sunday, March 22nd.