Caledonia Argus

Pool hours will change this year

Posted: 6/3/03

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Swimmers at the city pool will be drying off an hour earlier this summer.

The city council agreed on May 27 to change the open swimming hours to 2-8 p.m. Previously, open swim was held from 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., with a two hour break from 5-7 p.m.

The council reached a consensus after hearing input from pool manager Kirsten Hefte. Hefte stated that the new open swim hours will offer swimmers the same amount of time in the pool, but will also better accommodate lifeguards. The two-hour break was highly unpopular with lifeguards, she said, and resulted in much staff subbing. The new hours will mean less subbing, and will also allow for more staff meetings, since the pool will be open for staff use after 8 p.m.

Hefte also asked for the elimination of 5 p.m. swimming lessons, to which the council also consented. In the past, holding lessons at this time would often increase a lifeguardís time at the pool to 11-12 hours per day, she stated, which resulted in a lot of overtime hours. Also, a lifeguard who had the day off would still have to come in for the 5 p.m. lessons, which was an inconvenience.

Hefte will update the council in a monthís time on the impact the changes will have had on the poolís operation.

County-wide bike trail project underway

With plans underway to connect Houston County cities with the Root River, Preston-Harmony, and La Crosse bike trails, the Caledonia city council is attempting to form a partnership with all cities and townships involved.

Joyce Iverson, director of the Economic Development Authority, told the council that a coalition of all the cities along the trail would be mutually beneficial. ìIf each city works on its own, you may not have a coordinated plan,î she said. ìA group representing all of the trail interest could help with (financial) prioritizing.î

Council members suggested that townships along the trail should also be included in the planning process. Mayor Robert Burns commented that disputes over land have hampered trail development in other areas, and not to include townships in the development process would be to invite such difficulties. When a trail was being put in place between Houston and Rushford, he said, ìthey had to do some taking of land to complete the trail. It was quite an ugly deal, and thatís why I think the townships should be involved.î

A County Trails meeting has been set for June 18 at 7 p.m. in Caledonia City Hall to set the project in motion. Burns is optimistic that the undertaking will be beneficial to cities and townships involved. ìAll of our cities and county are struggling with budget cuts, (and) we must continue to look forward to new opportunities to enhance our economies through tourism,î he stated. ìA mutually supportive group effort makes all trail efforts more visible and more likely to be supported by legislators for funding.î

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