Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SWIMMING POOL: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:spool.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Jim Massey]]SWIMMING POOL | [[Image:spool.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Jim Massey]]SWIMMING POOL. Dubuque's first municipally operated swimming pool, built in 1915 along the eastern side of Elm Street between 14th and 15th [[STREETS]], was never officially opened. | ||
Although filled, no city agency wanted to be responsible for the cost of the water. In 1917 when city officials expressed a desire to construct dressing rooms, citizens rejected the $9,500 bond issue by a vote of 3,200 to 2,340. | Although filled, no city agency wanted to be responsible for the cost of the water. In 1917 when city officials expressed a desire to construct dressing rooms, citizens rejected the $9,500 bond issue by a vote of 3,200 to 2,340. | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
Six years after its construction, the pool was filled with dirt and the site was made a salvage yard. In 1922 the city garage was erected on the site after the croquet and tennis courts at the south end of the block-long area were removed. | Six years after its construction, the pool was filled with dirt and the site was made a salvage yard. In 1922 the city garage was erected on the site after the croquet and tennis courts at the south end of the block-long area were removed. | ||
[[Image:swimming.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Municipal beaches south of Eagle Point. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]Dubuque residents cooled themselves for the next fifteen years by swimming in the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] at city maintained beaches south of [[EAGLE POINT]]. | [[Image:swimming.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Municipal beaches south of Eagle Point. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]Dubuque residents cooled themselves for the next fifteen years by swimming in the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] at city maintained beaches south of [[EAGLE POINT]]. In 1990 the Nicholas J. Sutton Municipal Pool was constructed in the same area as the [[HAWTHORNE STREET POOL]] which was built in 1936 as a project of the WPA during the [[GREAT DEPRESSION]]. The [[FLORA PARK]] pool was constructed in 1955 with renovations begun in 1990. (1) | ||
In August 2016 it was announced that city officials were planning to hire the services of a consultant to determine the future of Dubuque two outdoor pools. Earlier in the year, council members had budgeted $30,000 to pay for the assessment. Both pools were losing water and showed signs of wear. It was expected that over the succeeding five years the pools were require $300,000 in work on known maintenance issues including new heaters and UV system replacement. The consultant would also develop a comprehensive master plan for potential long-term renovations and possible rebuilding the pools. Further consideration of a proposed joint aquatics center with the [[DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT]] were awaiting a potential extension of the statewide penny sales tax. Money that might have been available had largely been used for building renovations at the two high schools. (2) | |||
--- | |||
Source: | |||
1. Barton, Thomas J. "City Diving Into Pool Maintenance," ''Telegraph Herald'', August 13, 2016, p. 1A | |||
2. Ibid., 2A | |||
[[Category: Swimming Facilities]] | [[Category: Swimming Facilities]] | ||
[[Category: Postcards]] | [[Category: Postcards]] | ||
Revision as of 00:02, 2 September 2016
SWIMMING POOL. Dubuque's first municipally operated swimming pool, built in 1915 along the eastern side of Elm Street between 14th and 15th STREETS, was never officially opened.
Although filled, no city agency wanted to be responsible for the cost of the water. In 1917 when city officials expressed a desire to construct dressing rooms, citizens rejected the $9,500 bond issue by a vote of 3,200 to 2,340.
The 60- by 130-foot pool was named "So-and So's Folly" or occasionally after one of the Dubuque Board of Aldermen who spearheaded the project. Problems started almost immediately after construction. Operators of the pool found it was difficult to drain because the area's water table, prior to the lock and dam, was much higher. The argument over the cost of the water was carried on between the Board of Aldermen who thought it should be free and the Board of Water Commissioners who believed the water should carry a price.
Six years after its construction, the pool was filled with dirt and the site was made a salvage yard. In 1922 the city garage was erected on the site after the croquet and tennis courts at the south end of the block-long area were removed.
Dubuque residents cooled themselves for the next fifteen years by swimming in the MISSISSIPPI RIVER at city maintained beaches south of EAGLE POINT. In 1990 the Nicholas J. Sutton Municipal Pool was constructed in the same area as the HAWTHORNE STREET POOL which was built in 1936 as a project of the WPA during the GREAT DEPRESSION. The FLORA PARK pool was constructed in 1955 with renovations begun in 1990. (1)
In August 2016 it was announced that city officials were planning to hire the services of a consultant to determine the future of Dubuque two outdoor pools. Earlier in the year, council members had budgeted $30,000 to pay for the assessment. Both pools were losing water and showed signs of wear. It was expected that over the succeeding five years the pools were require $300,000 in work on known maintenance issues including new heaters and UV system replacement. The consultant would also develop a comprehensive master plan for potential long-term renovations and possible rebuilding the pools. Further consideration of a proposed joint aquatics center with the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT were awaiting a potential extension of the statewide penny sales tax. Money that might have been available had largely been used for building renovations at the two high schools. (2)
---
Source:
1. Barton, Thomas J. "City Diving Into Pool Maintenance," Telegraph Herald, August 13, 2016, p. 1A
2. Ibid., 2A