FAQ

What caused the Platteville Family Aquatic Center (PFAC) to be unusable? 

Several factors contributed to the deterioration and ultimate failure of the pool vessels, which became more evident as engineers and staff investigated the chain of events that led to the catastrophic failure.

Age:

• The pool was constructed in 1996

Leaks: 

• The exact start of the leaks is unclear, but reports from former pool managers and parks staff suggest leakage occurred for decades. Water usage data show a sharp increase starting in 2014.

• In 2022 a city staff audit of the water use determined that the pool was losing over 2 million gallons of water. This is the equivalent of filling the pool nearly six times over four months.

• In the fall of 2022 and spring of 2023, the City hired engineers and contractors to remove all the grates, repair broken pipes, and repair leaks within the gutter and pool walls.

Subgrade/Base material below the pool:

• Sonar exploration conducted in the fall of 2024 found a void of 2 to 3 inches along the majority of the shallow area extending from the zero-depth entry down to the slide plunge area.  

Pool Failure:

• In the spring of 2024, while city staff was filling the pool, the shallow portion of the pool settled over 2 inches overnight.  

• The abrupt settlement caused major concrete fractures within the gutter grates, pool floors and walls, and breaking pipes. Pictures of the damage are included within this FAQ.

• The most probable reason for the pool failure is the compaction and decomposition of the limestone fines layer resulting from multiple periods of water absorption and drying that occurred over the life of the pool. This compaction resulted in the concrete pool vessel settling and like a branch on tree snapping along the line of concrete that didn’t shift.

Can the pool be repaired without complete replacement?

It is impractical to repair the pool with the current subsoil conditions:

1. Through conversations with engineers and construction industry professionals, it was a consensus that any repair conducted that excludes the removal of the layer of limestone fines would have a high probability of future settlement and structural failure.

2. The limestone fines layer is estimated to impact the entirety of the pool vessel, requiring complete removal of the concrete pool vessel. 

Why are we not considering a YMCA? 

The committee evaluated the option of a YMCA but decided it wasn’t the best fit for Platteville’s specific needs. YMCA facilities are typically multi-purpose and may not meet the dedicated aquatic recreation and community gathering functions that a public pool provides. Additionally, establishing a YMCA involves unique funding and operational requirements that differ from those for a public aquatic center, making this option less viable for our goals. 

Why not just build a splash pad?

A splash pad alone doesn’t fully meet the community’s aquatic needs. While splash pads are great for younger children, a full pool offers more diverse activities, such as lap swimming, swimming lessons, water slides, and spaces for families to gather. Survey results indicated a preference for a broader range of features which a splash pad alone would not provide.

What is the recommended location for the new pool and how did we decide on that location?

After careful evaluation, the recommended location for the new pool is the current site of the PFAC. We assessed five other potential locations—four city-owned and one owned by UW-Platteville. However, the current site emerged as the best choice due to its central location, accessibility to parks and schools, and the reduced need for modifications compared to other sites. Other sites posed challenges such as elevation issues, parking limitations, and the loss of existing recreational spaces. A positive outcome from the geotechnical survey will confirm this location as ideal for the new pool.

Why is the committee not recommending an indoor pool?

The committee’s recommendation for an outdoor pool is based on multiple factors:

1. Community Preference: Survey responses show that 92% of respondents agree that Platteville needs an outdoor aquatic center.

2. Desired Features: Residents favored outdoor features like water slides (83%) and a zero-depth entrance (74%), which scored highly on the survey’s “Essential Features” question.

3. Cost: An indoor facility would cost three to five times more than an outdoor pool, and require year-round staffing and maintenance, which could place a financial burden on the community.

4. Existing Facilities: UW-Platteville already offers an indoor pool, which sees limited attendance in the summer and has struggled to attract lifeguards.

These factors make an outdoor pool a more feasible and community-aligned choice.

How much is a new pool going to cost?

The cost of the new pool is still being estimated. Precise figures will be available as we proceed with planning and design.

Will a new pool raise our taxes?

Funding a new pool will likely involve a tax increase, spread over multiple years to reduce the impact on individual taxpayers. We believe the social, physical, and emotional benefits that the pool offers the entire community justify this investment. Based on survey results, most community members appear to agree, as the majority supported the idea of tax funding for the pool.

When will the pool be ready to open again?

At this time there is no definitive timeline for the completion of a new pool. Multiple factors will impact the timing including:

• City Council Approval

• Fundraising

• Referendum Timing

• Engineer Hiring Process 

• Architecture & Design Work

• Construction Bidding

Next steps/how can community members help?

Community members can continue to be involved by attending public meetings, providing input during feedback sessions, and staying informed about progress through our website. Additionally, opportunities to support the project through local fundraising initiatives and volunteer programs will be available as the project develops.