By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

MARSHFIELD — If the city of Marshfield builds a new aquatic center to replace the aging Hefko Pool, it will remain on the pool’s current site on the south side of the city.

The decision came after Marshfield Parks & Recreation Director Justin Casperson came before the Marshfield Common Council Aug. 22 seeking direction on where a new pool might eventually be constructed.

“City staff met with (Marshfield) Utilities several times,” Casperson said, “and both entities have been working with their respective design firms on possible site plans. … Based on information from the utilities and based on information from the pool committee, we are kind of looking for direction on whether we want to keep focusing on the Hefko site or whether we want to shift direction to another location.

“So (we are) looking for a final site selection so we can take the next step forward. That includes fundraising and coming up with a design, so those next steps. We can’t go to that step until we actually have a site picked out.”

The Pool Study Committee recently recommended the Hefko Pool site, which conflicts with Marshfield Utilities’ plans for expansion. However, Casperson stated that both groups wish to share the same site, which is owned by the utility department.

Alderman Tom Witzel said that a new pool could be a driving factor for development on the south side of the city.

“As we are looking at potentially developing the south, I really do think that the pool is key to that in the grand scheme of things,” Witzel said. “It will be a great incentive for businesses on that end of town.”

“It has been there for a lot of years,” said Council President Ed Wagner. “I know that people have a lot of affection for it at that site, but we are only going to do this once in the next 40 years, and then we are going to be spending our resources, and we are going to want to spend those resources at a place where it does us the most good, and I am not convinced that the present site is the one that does us the most good.”

The council voted 6-4 to have the pool remain on the current site with Aldermen Gordie Earll, Mike Feirer, Peter Hendler, and Wagner voting no.

A recent survey of the community received approximately 2,000 responses and identified the Hefko Pool site as the most preferred location for a new municipal pool.