Proposed Menasha aquatic center will feature pools, slides, lazy river

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The conceptual plan for Menasha‘s new aquatic center at Jefferson Park depicts a recreational pool with water slides and a lazy river, a lap pool with a drop slide and a springboard, and a year-round community building that could be rented for weddings or corporate events.

The city’s new schedule calls for the demolition of the existing municipal pool in 2026, the start of construction in 2027 and the opening of the new aquatic center in 2028.

An earlier timeline had projected the new aquatic center opening in 2027. The delay better aligns with the city’s financial planning and borrowing schedule.

The Common Council unanimously approved the conceptual plan for the aquatic center on March 30. The cost of the project was estimated at $17 million, but the $1.5 million community building and a $500,000 Mini-Ninja course could be removed from the bid package and added at a later date.

Prior to the council’s vote, Dick Sturm, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board, encouraged the city to proceed with the redevelopment.
“At the end of the day, we’re going to have an aquatic center for all ages and ability, from moms with babes in their arms to senior citizens,” Sturm said. “Everyone is going to enjoy it.”

Menasha budgeted $4 million in 2026 for the new aquatic center. It plans to budget another $4 million in 2027. According to plan, the balance would be funded by donations and grants.

The city hired the consulting firm Carter, at a cost not to exceed $52,000, to assess the community’s capacity and willingness to support a fundraising campaign for the center.

Council member Randy Ropella introduced a motion to hold a referendum to limit the city’s cost to $8 million. He said if the fundraising were to yield only $1 million, for example, the project cost should be capped at $9 million.

The motion failed on a 2-6 vote. Opponents said a referendum was either unnecessary or premature without knowing the results of the Carter fundraising study.

“This motion came to us as an email with no legal review, no proposed ballot language, no determination of whether this is binding or advisory, no analysis of which election cycle it would appear on,” council member Chris Rand said.

What features are planned for the new aquatic center?

The aquatic center would be built in place of the old pool at the northwest corner of Jefferson Park.

The water area would consist of two pools and cover 12,300 square feet. The building area would cover 8,800 square feet. Both are a smaller footprint than the old pool, which has a water area of 16,000 square feet and a building area of 10,000 square feet.

A site plan shows an admissions and concessions stand on the west side, along with a staff area, restrooms and changing rooms. The concessions stand would be accessible from both inside and outside the pool, to serve park users.

A mechanical building would sit on the north side, and the community building would be on the south side and have views of Lake Winnebago.

What amenities does the recreational pool offer?

The recreational pool, also referred to as the “fun area,” would be in the center of the facility. It would offer:

• Zero-depth entry
• Warmer water temperature, compared to the lap pool
• Shade structures
• Lounge chair shelf containing 6 inches of water for sunbathing
• Water basketball and water volleyball area
• Lazy river
• Two water slides. One slide would plunge into the pool. “It’s going to be more thrilling than the slides you have now,” Matt Freeby, a representative of Water Technology Inc., said. The other slide would have a runout, which is a deceleration area before users step out.
• “We were very deliberate about choosing different things in this concept design that would set us apart and potentially attract different users that we aren’t already serving,” Menasha Parks and Recreation Director Megan Sackett said.

What amenities does the lap pool offer?

The lap pool would be in the southeast corner of the facility. It would offer:

• Eight lanes that are 25 yards in length
• Cooler water temperature for active swimmers
• Drop slide
• 1-meter springboard
• Space for a Mini-Ninja course

How does the community building fit into the design?

The all-season community building would be oriented toward Lake Winnebago. It would have seating for 120 people and be equipped with a fireplace and warming kitchen.

Rand said the community building would provide public value year-round, in contrast to the water features, which would operate only during the summer.

“There’s a reasonable path for that building to generate enough direct revenue to offset its own added debt service,” Rand said. “I’m not saying it’s guaranteed. I’m saying the math is credible, and it deserves serious consideration before anyone even thinks about cutting it from this concept.”