WAUSAU — Members of the Wausau City Council this month will mull two proposals to add free admission days for residents in 2019 at the city’s three municipal pools.
Two resolutions are on the table. The first follows the recommendation of the city’s parks and recreation committee and includes free admission days at the beginning of the swimming season in June, rotating free Sundays and a free day at the end of the season. In addition, swimming on Wednesday and Thursday evenings would also be free.
A second, scaled-back proposal is recommended by the finance committee. This proposal calls for a free day at the beginning and end of the season along with free swimming on Wednesday evenings. Additional free or reduced-price admission days could be offered, but only if paid sponsors are secured.
During the Oct. 1 parks and recreation committee meeting, members reviewed data from select free pool days that were offered during the 2018 pool season. Parks staff concluded that free days did not increase participation at the pools, but rather represented a service provided by the city.
Phil Salamone, who has been an advocate for free swimming at the city’s three pools, argued that the days offered were too random for the public to keep track of. Salamone told committee members he is still in favor of free pool admission for Wausau residents. He suggested having a set day of the week for free swimming to avoid confusion.
