Lansing Parks and Recreation Board working to make needed improvements to swimming pool before start of the 2012 season

by B.J. Tomlinson

With the summer season just around the corner, and thoughts of summer typically including a refreshing dip in a swimming pool, the Lansing Parks and Recreation Board has been working diligently to get the Lansing Swimming Pool ready for its designated May 26 opening day. That preparation has included some required repairs and maintenance, with further goals of improvements and renovations to make the pool a desired destination for family and friends of all ages.
Parks Board members Erin Hines, Sue Gage, Marlene Duffy, Erica Krause-Wagner and Jack Grampovnik have been working hard to upgrade the pool in order to comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and Allamakee County Environmental Health Department standards. The Board has recently received a $7,000 grant from the Allamakee County Community Foundation to help pay for some of the much-needed swimming pool repairs and renovations. In addition to the grant, the City of Lansing, residents and businesses have all contributed to the pool fund and all agree the pool is an important and necessary part of the Lansing community.
However, there is much more that still needs to be done to meet the goals set for the pool by the Park and Recreation Board and other City leaders.
The pool, which was built in 1968, was inspected last year, after which the City received notice that several repairs were necessary if the pool was to remain viable. The pool will be re-inspected sometime before the pool opens, which is slated for the Memorial Day weekend.
"The primary intention of our pool, when built in 1968, was to provide a safe place for our youth and community to swim and recreate, and we on the Lansing Park and Rec Board feel this intent still holds true today," stated Krause-Wagner.
A required ADA lift has been ordered and will be installed soon. Other improvements include two new heaters, shower stalls, privacy partitions, toilet grab bars, ADA toilets, diving board repairs, installation of a stair rail and several other items. The Board’s future goals include new paint, seating and activities for non-swimmers, and rebuilding the guardhouse, all of which will be added as funds become available.
Gage says the Park and Recreation Board needs help from the community, including financial help, clean-up, painting and assistance at the softball field concession stand, which the Park and Recreation Board has taken over this year. Proceeds from the concession stand will be used for upcoming pool projects.
A fundraising event is being planned for this Saturday, May 5 in an effort to continue to meet further funding needs. Labeled "Lansing Fun Day," coupon savings at Lansing businesses are being offered in support of pool funding. More details on the event can be found in the advertisement in the events and entertainment section on Page 7A of this week's Standard.
Krause-Wagner further advises, “We are very careful with donations and we want to assure the public that all the funds we receive will be spent wisely.”  Krause-Wagner and Gage reported that water aerobics will be offered again this year; with the new heaters, participants will be much more comfortable. Older swimmers will also appreciate the new stair rail. The Board hopes to add more water toys and equipment, too.
Before the pool was built, residents and visitors, especially the young, swam in the Mississippi River, but pollution and other safety concerns motivated the town to build the city pool. Now, in addition to Lansing residents, children from surrounding towns all come to Lansing for swimming lessons and other water activities.
"Because of the health and safety deficiencies of our wading pool, we would like to create a small splash pad or water feature to replace it," Krause-Wagner explained. "We would like to obtain a pool slide and some swim hands and fins for use in our swimming lessons, swim team and water aerobic classes. We also have identified the need for playground equipment on our pool grounds as a feature we presently do not have, but one our younger children would thoroughly enjoy. Lastly, our largest goal is to build a new bath house/guard house/concession stand and add two to three new lap lanes and zero-depth entry."
If anyone would like to volunteer to help with maintenance tasks or to contribute to the pool fund, they should contact any Parks Board member listed above or the Lansing City Clerk's office.