IN THE NEWS
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June 15, 2022
By Maria Blough
WEAU TV13
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) - After years of service, one Chippewa Valley pool needs to be rebuilt or repaired soon to remain a space for the community.
When the temperatures rise in Chippewa Falls, community members can come here to cool down.
Even with constant maintenance, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director John Jimenez said the pool is in need of a major renovation.
“When I got here a little over a year ago, I knew the pool was something that was going to need a lot of attention,” Jimenez said.
He said the pool’s years of service have brought it to the end of its life span.
When community members heard the future of the pool was uncertain, people like Alyssa Van Duyse became part of the Save Our Pool Grassroots Group.
To watch the TV spot, or read the full article, visit: Chippewa Falls forming a committee to decide pool’s future (weau.com)
May 4, 2022
By Chris Vetter
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Alyssa Van Duyse said she has routinely brought her seven-year-old daughter, Avery, to the Bernard Willi Municipal Pool in past summers, and she would hate to see it permanently close.
Van Duyse, a former Leader-Telegram reporter who lives in Chippewa Falls, is among a group of more than 50 people who attended Tuesday's Chippewa Falls City Council meeting to urge officials to find a way to keep the public pool open.
Click the headline to read the full article.
April 19, 2022
By Katrina Lim
WQOW TV18
CHIPPEWA FALLS (WQOW) - A concerned resident started a petition called "Save Our Pool!" after she learned the city of Chippewa Falls plans to close its only public pool for good.
Earlier in April the Chippewa Falls City Council agreed that renovating or entirely replacing the Bernard Willi Pool is not worth the cost when it's only open for three months out of the year.
Chippewa Falls native Katie Crise disagrees and said the outdoor pool is a worthy investment for the community.
From Friday evening up until Tuesday, nearly 900 people have responded to her petition saying they either want to restore the facility they currently have, or if it gets torn down, for an aquatic center with an indoor pool to be built in its place.
Top watch the spot or read the full article, visit: Resident starts petition to save Chippewa Falls public pool | Chippewa Valley News | wqow.com
PETITION STARTED TO HALT PERMANENT CLOSURE OF CHIPPEWA FALLS POOL
April 19, 2022
By Parker Reed
Chippewa Herald
A controversial decision to close a historic Chippewa Valley attraction is causing members of the community to scream out “save our pool!”
Last week, the decision was made to close the Bernard Willi Municipal Pool in downtown Chippewa Falls after the 2022 season as it is in a state of disrepair and the needed remodeling would be too expensive to justify the project.
In response to this closure, Chippewa Falls citizen Katie Crise started an online petition called “Save Our Pool” directed toward the Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and the Chippewa Falls City Council, urging the powers that be to reconsider their decision.
“We understand that the pool is in need of major repairs and it is not a profitable place,” Crise said. “However, cities do not provide pools to make a profit. It’s because they appreciate the value for the community.”
To read the full article, visit:
Petition started to halt permanent closure of Chippewa Falls pool | Local News | chippewa.com
PETITION STARTED TO SAVE CHIPPEWA POOL FROM CLOSING
April 15, 2022
By Samantha Nitz
WEAU TV13
Chippewa Falls, Wis. (WEAU) -The Chippewa Falls City Council voted Wednesday night to close down the Chippewa pool after this summer season.
The City Council says the decision was made due to the pool needing repairs, in addition to the City not being able to keep up with costs.
A “Save Our Pool!” petition is now circulating on Facebook in efforts to make voices heard against the closure of the pool.
Chippewa Falls native, Katie Crise, started the petition. Crise says she knew that people felt strongly about the decision.
To watch the spot or read the full article, visit: Petition started to save Chippewa Pool from closing (weau.com)
CF PUBLIC POOL TO CLOSE FOR GOOD AFTER THIS SUMMER
April 15, 2022
By Chris Vetter
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
CHIPPEWA FALLS — The Bernard Willi Municipal Pool will see its final visitors this summer, then it will likely close for good.
The Chippewa Falls City Council agreed Tuesday that refurbishing or entirely replacing the pool is not worth the cost, particularly considering it is open less than three months of the year.
Parks director John Jimenez presented the council with a study that analyzed the pool’s current state, showing the high cost of repairing the pool. Remodeling the bathrooms would cost $250,000 to $350,000. Replacing the slide tower would cost $150,000 to $200,000. Shade structures would cost $60,000, underwater lighting upgrades are $30,000, new deck lighting poles are $30,000, meeting ADA access requirements are $40,000, filtration and pump replacements are $30,000, and fencing upgrades are $18,000. Also, a plan to add a splash pad would cost $400,000 to $600,000.
To read the full article, visit: CF public pool to close for good after this summer | Front Page | leadertelegram.com