Links

• Palmer Park Looks Like The Most Promising Site
  In a November 20th article in the Daily Reporter, Wisconsin's Construction, Law & Public Record Newspaper, city leisure services director Mike Williams said, "obviously the impact with the dog park will have to be considered, but Palmer Park looks like the most promising site."
  
  
• Goodman Pool Madison Figures
  Cost of running Goodman Aquatic Center in Madison while it is open = $300 an hour.
  
  
• City Of Madison Argues On Fees For Goodman Aquatic Center
  City of Madison officials argue on whether fees for the Goodman Aquatic Center should be high enough to pay for the facility. How do city officials ever balance their own checkbooks?
  
  
• Parks For Canines (And People Too)
  READ THIS...
  "Once a bone of contention in some communities, local officials are catching on to how important these parks have become, not so much for dogs but for their owners."
  
  
• Estimated Cost Of An Aquatic Center
  Gazetteextra.com story stating, " City administration hopes the committee will recommend one large site capable of serving 1,600 swimmers, which could cost between $8 million and $9.5 million, according to the latest estimate."
  
  
• How Much Will An Aquatic Center Cost #2
  Given previous cost estimates, it is unclear what the city would get for $5 million. Get ready for $9,000,000
  
  
• NBC 15 Report - Novermber 5, 2007
  In a report on WMTV, Channel 15 in Madison, Steve Sheiffer said, "there is a lot of open speace there and it would be easy to move the dog exercise area." (http://www.nbc15.com/)
  
  
• Aquatic Center In New York Losing $2,400,000 Annually
  Doreen Banks, the county parks commissioner, said the pool lost nearly $2.4 million last year on revenues of $1 million.
  
  
• Majority Of Forks, WA Annual Operations Budget Covered By TAXES - Not User-Generated Revenue
  Sources of Revenue
  From All Sources Summary
  • Property tax $ 215,677
  • Excise tax $ 30,407
  • DNR timber harvest $ 50,661
  • Pool operations $ 87,660
  • Total $ 384,405
  
  
• Cost Of Maintaining An Indoor Water Park = $56 per square foot per year
  Of course, building and maintaining a water park is expensive. Bill Haralson, a partner with Texas-based Hotel Waterpark Resort Research & Consulting, says it costs $338 to $450 a square foot to develop an indoor water park, including construction, furniture, theme decorations and play equipment. And once the doors open, it costs about $56 a square foot each year to operate. The yearly price tag for a 50,000-square-foot water park comes in at about $2.8-million.
  
  
• California Aquatic Center Losing Money? (Hey, They Use THEIR Facility Year-Round)
  An "aquatic center" was built several years ago on the grounds of our high school due to a large grant from a donor. It is a huge 20 lane or so pool, bleachers, changing facilities etc. plus 2 separate pools for warm-ups and water polo. From what I understand, the pool has consistently lost money every year, even though it gets $$ from user fees. Every year our swim league holds a huge 2 day meet there (1000 swimmers plus spectators) and even with the fees that meet generates the aquatic center can't break even. And the center is used year-round, due to our weather! You are right to be concerned.
  
  
• Brad Cantrell Addresses I39/90 Widening Project
  I would imagine that a six-lane I39/90 will bring the freeway even closer to the proposed aquatic center. Six lanes means more traffic and more noise.
  
  
• Stan Milam, AM1230 WCLO Interview With Tom Edwards
  In a November 2 interview with savethedogpark.com author, Tom Edwards AM1230 Talk Show Host, Stan Milam said, "to get our listeners up to date, there was a proposal advanced by the city manager that perhaps Traxler Park ought to be considered because of its central location. With that the city manager said, 'okay committee go back and take another shot at this.' And there was a clear message there. [the committe] has come back with basically the same report and the same recommendation as the committee put forth the first time around -- dismising Traxler Park, dismissing the southwest side out by Rockport Pool, and it's back again at Palmer Park as the target site." (click on download at Stan's site to hear the entire interview)
  
  
• Take The City Of Janesville's Aquatic Survey
  Let your voice be heard in as many places as possible.
  The City Manager has appointed a task force of community members to develop plans concerning the future of Janesville's public aquatic facilities and make a recommendation to the Janesville City Council.
  
  The Citizen Aquatics Committee is looking for your feedback on existing City of Janesville aquatic facilities, amenities, and potential new aquatic facilities and locations. The Committee is evaluating the City’s current facilities and considering options for new facilities.
  
  
• A Long But Thorough Look At Aquatic Centers
  
  
• Thinking Of Building An Indoor Park? Read This First
  
  
• A Lack Of Qualified Managers Has Planners Concerned
  A lack of qualified managers and operators have some veteran park operators worried
  
  
• City Of Ames, IA Water Park Brochure
  
  
• Ames, IA Approves Aquatic Park Plan
  Residental property taxes will increase $21.91 per taxable $100,000 of assessed valuation per year for 12 years with commercial and industrial property owners seeing a rate increase of double.
  
  
• Google Map Of The Dog Park - Note How The Park Abuts I39/90
  The dog exercise park is located right along the freeway -- the eastermost past is less than 50 feet from I39/90. Check out this link to google maps -- just east of the arrow is a parking lot. the area north and east to the freeway is the dog exercise area of Palmer Park.
  
  
• Highway Air Pollution a Threat to Children's Lungs
  A study of 3600 children living near busy highways in southern California shows that auto emissions can stunt a child's lung development and increase the risk of early respiratory problems. VOA's Melinda Smith has details about the research and what the findings hold for their future health.
  
  
• City Of Brooklyn Park, MN - Parks Advisory Commision
  
  
• Janesville's Proposed Budget
  
  
• Janesville Aquatics Committee Notes From April 20, 2006 Meeting
  Just wondering if they ever spent the $225,000 this report mentions for a consultant. They can save the money and just read the info at www.savethedogpark.com.
  
  
• Tax Levy Increase to Affect Janesville Budget
  One of the few changes governor did make to the budget - he raised the property tax limits for cities, villages and towns for this year. That means the typical homeowner will pay more in the coming year than they would have under the proposed budget...The 2 percent cap in the budge'ts second year is really going to cause bigger concerns for the city. Sheiffer thinks he'll have to cut about 6 to $700,000 from the city's budget. IF THIS IS SO, HOW CAN WE AFFORD AN AQUATIC CENTER?
  
  
• Theme Park/Water Park Industry Newsletter Mentions Janesville Project
  If the city of Janesville is NOT planning a THEME park, then why does one of the theme park industry's newsletters report the following: "Water park put in dry dock Wisconsin The current Janesville City Council will not decide the future of Janesville's water recreation facilities. That means it's likely a new water park-if approved-would not be built in time for the 2008 season. Council members postponed a decision until after a new council is seated in April." Just curious. http://www.interthemepark.com/industry_n...
  page down -- or do a ctrl-f and enter janesville to easily find the post.