Pool rides a wave of hot weather
Hales Corners facility draws a record crowd
Last week's heat wave helped the Hales Corners Pool start the 2009 season in record-breaking fashion. A total of 526 people jumped into the water June 17, an all-time high in the facility's 41-year history, said Don Schwartz, president of the Friends of Hales Corners Pool.
The crowds were large throughout the week. With temperatures in the 90s, attendance at the pool was near or above 400 people each day, Schwartz said.
The big crowds combined with strong sales of season passes have contributed to a good start to the pool's season, which began June 13.
"We've been very pleased so far with how things are going," Schwartz said.
On a hot streak
With new Milwaukee County funding, the sale of season passes, and increased attendance and concessions, Schwartz said the pool is in good financial shape.
The pool's heady start is a change for the better, given the pool's financial difficulties over the past few years.
The facility already received a boost when Milwaukee County allocated $50,000 for the pool's 2009 operations. (The county cut off funding in early 2007, leaving the nonprofit Friends of Hales Corners Pool to pay for upkeep and operational costs not covered by admission fees and other revenue.)
Pool supporters will go back to the County Board of Supervisors later this year to lobby for the county's funding to continue in the 2010 season, Schwartz said.
The sale of season passes is in its second year, and though Schwartz didn't give any numbers, he said the passes have been more popular than last year.
"We're very excited that season passes have been a big hit," Schwartz said.
Within the next two weeks, pool-goers will also see the addition of a 12-foot rock climbing boulder next to the tennis courts.
Treading ongoing expenses
The pool isn't getting any younger, however, so maintenance will soon be in order.
Friends of the Hales Corners Pool continues to raise funds to cover those additional expenses. Upcoming fundraisers planned include a pool party from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday and an event from 5 to 7 p.m. today with speedskater Alyson Dudek, who is seeking a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
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