Wausau leaders are looking to raise the city’s pool fees to match other pools like Weston's and Rothschild and Schofield's.
But those municipalities are dealing with their own pool issues.
Rothschild’s administrator at a Parks Committee meeting late last month told Weston leaders that their pool is losing too much money. Between 2021 and 2024 Rothschild is losing an average of $93,000 per year and Schofield is losing an average of $46,000 per year. On top of that, Weston Power Plant No. 3 will be closing around 2031-2032, and that will bring a loss of $1.3 million to the village of Rothschild.
Rothschild is proposing that they close their joint pool and open a smaller pool aimed at young children at Kennedy Park (Rothschild-Schofield’s pool is popular among families with younger children). Kennedy Park is undergoing a major renovation with new ball diamonds and other amenities planned as funding is obtained.
The parks committee approved exploring the option but committee member Barb Ermeling warned that she’d be hesitant to put more on the village’s taxpayers. “We will pick up the bigger cost, because we’re bigger,” Ermeling said. “That’s my concern.”
Meanwhile, the city’s Parks Committee approved a raise in pool fees starting next year. The increase would raise daily passes from $4 to $5, youth passes from $36 to $40 and adult fees from $52 to $60. Non-resident fees and facility rentals also increased.
The increases were more than what was recommended by Parks Director Jamie Polley, who suggested fees increase 3% across the board to keep up with surrounding municipalities.
Paid subscribers read two of our regular features this week — they read our monthly Wausau Tavern report (which involves a bow and arrow this week) and our Quarterly Real Estate report, showing some interesting new trends:
Settle down, Robin Hood | Hold My Beer
We think Wausau gets pretty interesting after dark. Here are the significant police calls to Wausau taverns for the last month, plus information about liquor licenses and other bar-related matters.
Getting Real with Real Estate: Q2, 2025
Welcome to The Wausonian’s quarterly feature for paid subscribers called “Getting Real with Real Estate,” where we break down the latest trends and statistics in local real estate.
What else in Wausau?
Council adopts new rule around mayor’s speech: The city council Tuesday, in a committee of the whole session, approved new rules around the mayor’s comment item. The council now requires that the subject of the mayor’s comments be clearly identified on the agenda prior to the meeting. The rule change, one of several the city council made (including adding a public comment agenda item to all committee meetings), comes after several contentious council meetings related to the mayor’s speeches, which sometimes included commentary on controversies the city was facing.
First phase of new skate park opens Sunday: City leaders plan to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of the first phase of the renovation of the city’s skatepark. Parks officials say the concrete portion of the skate park is complete (they warned users Tuesday to stay off while the caulk dries) but that refurbishing the ramps and placing them will happen later this year yet. The grand opening, including a skate jam, will take place at 11 am.
Property closed for apartments on Grand and Thomas: Property for the new affordable apartments to be built at 700 Grand Avenue, on the corner of Grand Avenue and Thomas Street, closed on Tuesday, according to state real estate records. Work on the property began last week on the site, with work on digging the foundation underway.
Around the metro
Weston considering fire fee to make up for shortfalls: The village of Weston is looking at instituting a fire fee for businesses and residents to make up for shortfalls in its portion of the funding to the SAFER Fire District. Without the fees, the village would have to reduce the amount of tax levy it pays toward the district to 2013 levels, meaning a reduction of between $120,000 and $214,000. Under one version of the proposed fee, a resident would pay between $52-57 per year (depending if they had an outbuilding or not) and a business owner would pay more than $800.
Kolbe and Kolbe aims to finish housing project by January: Kolbe and Kolbe is building a four-building, 44,000-square foot residential complex called Evergreen Landing Apartments behind its manufacturing facility. The company recently celebrated the enclosing of one of the first buildings, which ultimately will bring 102 units of housing to Wausau. Rentals range from $895 for a single-bed to $1,650 for a three-bedroom unit. They’ll be open to anyone but likely an attractive option for its workers, company officials said in a statement. The complex is expected to open in January 2026.
Business
4 Seasons Golf planning larger Rothschild location: Four Seasons Golf announced it will be building a location in the Cedar Creek area of Rothschild. The company is looking to build its new $3.1 million facility at 880 Eagle Nest Boulevard, which is currently undeveloped. Construction is expected to start within a couple of weeks.
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Entertainment
A free classical music show, Jazz on the River, a free day at the Children’s Imaginarium and more in this week’s Wausome Weekend Guide.
Sports
College softball: The Wausau Ignite closed out its season with a loss to the La Crosse Steam Friday, dropping its final game 8-6. The game capped off a challenging inaugural season for the Ignite, which finished 12-30 for last place in the five-team league. The Minot Honeybees and the Madison Night Mares are battling for the league championship. The Night Mares currently have a one-game lead in the three-game series.
College baseball: The Wausau Woodchucks notched a pair of wins this week, adding to the team’s total as they near the end of the season. The Chucks won three of four games against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders and are holding on to a tight one-game lead over the Madison Mallards with four games left to go. Topping the second-half standings would earn the Chucks a playoff berth. (Friday and Saturday are the Woodchucks’ last two home games to close out the regular season.)
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