It’s in the news! It’s all the rage! It’s taking forever! No one will be swimming in Webber pool this summer
On July 14, at the request of the Webber Camden Neighborhood Organization (WCNO), the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) held a public meeting at Webber Park to discuss the delayed opening of the new naturally filtered pool that was to have opened at Webber Park this August. A robust construction start in the fall of 2013 could not make up for the delayed 2013 groundbreaking caused in part by the need for legislative approval for the innovative project. A seven foot frost line, coupled with record rainfall, made spring and early summer progress on the project difficult, if not impossible.
Cliff Swenson, MPRB Director of Design and Project Management, gave an overview of the project. He reminded us that this type of filtration system has been used in Europe since the 1980s with the first public pool opening in Germany in 1998. Although there are private pools using this type of filtration system in the U.S., Webber pool will be the first public naturally filtered pool in the U.S., bringing with it both rewards and challenges. Swenson noted the milestones relating to the project, including the 2011 community engagement master plan, the 2012 legislation that allowed for this project to move forward, the 2013 new park boundary approval, and the 2013 groundbreaking. The new opening date is slated for 2015. Swenson stated that despite delays in pool construction, much has been accomplished, including the completed parking lot, the near completion of the pool house, and albeit slow, the construction of the pool and regeneration pond. Perhaps, most importantly, Swenson said that the MPRB is absolutely committed to the success of this project and the MPRB will do a better job of communicating the progress of the project.
Jon Duesman, MPRB Construction Manager, described the on-site progress of the project and outlined the next steps. He said the pool house is nearing completion and will operate not only as a changing house, but will double as a warming house for winter skating. Regarding the site work, he said that the concrete walls for the pool and the filtration water tanks are complete. In addition 2-1/2 miles of piping have been put below the surface. During the next phase of the project the regeneration basin liner will be installed and by mid-August they should be able to plant and fill the regeneration basin with water. In August and September the pool liner will be installed. The fill date for the pool is October. There is a 30 day re-circulation period, which involves moving the pool water through the entire system and the regeneration basin. During November the construction crew will be working to winterize the system. If Mother Nature cooperates and construction stays on schedule there may be skating at the park this winter and the pool will open in 2015. Further delays could put skating off for one more year. The fencing and landscaping will be completed in late 2014 and 2015. There will be a six foot high, decorative fence installed for security and safety purposes. In addition lighting will be installed and the mid-park walkway to 45th Avenue will be closed off for safety and security reasons.
An overview of the operations and programming was given by Mimi Kalb, MPRB Director of Athletic Programs and Aquatics. Kalb said the pool capacity will be 500 and that it will be staffed by certified lifeguards during open hours. There will be eight lifeguard stations, with as many as 16 guards on duty at one time. In addition to swimming safety, the guards will be responsible for cleaning and testing the water. During the questions portion of the meeting, Kalb said there will be an initiative to hire local youth for the lifeguarding positions, including a Jr. Lifeguard program to recruit and train youth. Swimming will be free during open swimming times, but there will be fee based instructional programming in the morning, with scholarships available. In addition there will be five lap lanes and naturalist programming to tie in the themes of the naturally filtrated pool. Jerry Peterson, MPRB Service Area Manager, said that the winter rink will have special programming for families and winter events. During the summer there is a plan to have outdoor staff support, including supervision one hour before the pool opens and one after the pool closes.
MPRB Police Chief Jason Ohotto addressed park security questions. Ohotto is familiar with Webber Park, having worked on the force as far back as the Camden area Showboat Days. The MPRB police will work closely with the aquatics staff to align expectations and Ohotto said it will be important to be notified early, prior to problems arising. Ohotto also stated that MPRB President Wielinski and Commissioner Jon Olson have requested police staff to be present during the hours of operation. Commissioner Olson said he would work to get that extra police staffing into the MPRB budget. The MPRB police have been working with park board to address security concerns and will utilize mobile cameras as available. They will also work with and coordinate police concerns with the MPD.
Community questions were addressed by Dawn Sommers, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Park Commissioner Jon Olson. Dale Hulme, community member and long-time advocate for youth hockey in North Minneapolis, asked about winter skating. Olson said they hope to have skating this winter, but it will depend upon the completion of the project, especially the completion of the filtration planting this fall. Cliff Swenson said new hockey liners would be purchased. In regards to a question about the paths, Jon Duesman said they will be completed in the spring of 2015 and Cliff Swenson said that work on the paths and landscaping should not impede the opening of the swimming pool.
Community resident Starla Krause asked for more details on the building. Olson said the building will be utilized for winter and summer recreation. There is unique detailing and a fireplace. The building will have changing rooms, a lifeguard safety room, bathrooms and a storage area. In regards to the cost of the project, which is nearing $7million, Jon Olson said that the City provided the initial $4 million with a net debt bond. The expanded boundary of the North Mississippi Regional Park, done through the legislative work of Rep. Joe Mullery and others, has made the project eligible for additional funding from interest on highway bonds. Olson also mentioned that he could always use more funds and he is working on that, including working on grants to put in new basketball courts adjacent to the park building and a new soccer field. The old basketball court could still be made available until that funding is secured. Olson further clarified that although the North Mississippi Regional Park boundary was extended to include that new pool, this did not change the ownership of Webber Park, as North Mississippi is a Minneapolis park.
Many additional questions were asked regarding phase II of the project. Olson said that the community will be engaged in discussions about what they would like to see in the location of the recently torn down library and other aspects of the next phase of the project. In regards to delays, Olson said, “Nobody is more upset than me about the delays.” Dawn Sommers said that the MPRB will work with WCNO, the local news outlets, and on-line subscribers to provide monthly updates on this project. Many more concerns were raised including questions regarding parking, playground maintenance, mosquito control, litter control and the visual impact of the adjacent recycling plant. Olson acknowledged that these concerns are being discussed as the project moves forward and will be addressed by the appropriate departments, including departments in the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County.
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