La Crescent Generosity

Park alongside the new pool

Where we live,  the economy is not nearly as bad as in other parts of the country, it"s the thriving Midwest, where the restaurants and taverns are booming even though the cost of gas is up and so it the cost of everything else.   People of the Midwest are known for generosity and thinking about others, sharing, etc.  So a year ago when we had a local referendum to increase property taxes on  those who reside in the city limits to fund a new community swimming pool it passed.  We did not vote for that referendum because the cost of repair was 1/3 the cost of new and besides, we firmly believe users should support such an extravaganza, not just burden the property owners, most of whom will not set foot inside it.  This city already has a hockey rink and golf course that are drains on the treasury because the fees do not support the maintenance of the facilities, so a new pool is bound to add to a greater cost draw down too. 

One benefit  of the pool is that while the  line forms to enter, kids can use the park right there  and its accouterments.  This morning some Moms waited with others who were not in swimming lessons.  We have many nice parks in La Crescent that get little use.  I mean who's going to set out amidst the mosquitoes?

Nevertheless, the referendum passed, many  saying, "well the kids need it."  Oh baloney and humbug says those of us who have no kids, but we are now contributing with a higher tax  payment.  It was only a week after its passage that the old pool was opened ready to go another year, did anyone  raise an eyebrow at that coincidence, no! Although it was perfectly clear that  the property taxes would increase this year, many paid no attention until they received their new tax bills and then it  was, "what's this!"   And, comments like, "I didn't know it would cost me $$."  Oh pray tell, you thought Santa Claus would pick up the cost for the good little boys and girls?  And so this summer when we are home, and the pool is only several blocks away, I intend to get  a bit of our money's worth.  Two years ago I took a water aerobics class and enjoyed it so I signed up again this year, classes on Monday and Thursday 5:40-6:30PM. 

Check out the great double slides, which folks
say rival what is at the Dells, a spendy place

The pool opened June 9 and a day last week I took my morning walk over to the pool just to check out the lay of the land.  It is no longer just a community swimming pool; we generous taxpayers have subsidized an aquatic center no less.  Those of you who live in bigger metropolitan areas likely pay $$ for memberships or daily passes, but our generosity allows $2 per day for residents and $3 for non-residents.  In this area, non-residents come from across the river in La Crosse, WI because this facility is cheaper than  what they pay across the river in their state.  I told you we are generous, especially spending someone else's $$.  Sound familiar?

Keep an eye on the boys at the fountain

All this leads up to what I have discovered.  Yes it is an aquatic center and lovely.  And that morning many children were either in the pool, awaiting their entry or watching and waiting their turn as it was time for morning swim lessons.

 I gotta say, I got a big kick out of watching the kids, still not sure if this is worth what it costs me, but enjoyment is not cheap.   And for any grandparents who want to watch the days entertainment such as the couple entering there with their backs in the photo, there are rows of very nice lounge deck chairs.  The place really has something for all, an expanded diving pool, a climbing wall, the big slides which empty into another large area and a few  lanes for lap swimmers who will have to get there during restricted lap time only as the kids are invasive.


Here's a crew just anticipating the wet.   See the chairs




This is the expanded kiddie pool, twice the size of what it was
with a large Apple tree playhouse.  Notice one little guy is quite reluctant to
join the others.  "Mom, I don"t want to go!  Nooooo"



Diving pool and climbing  wall to the right of boards,
center of this photo

As I observed, I noticed some boys barely able to contain themselves from jumping in.  But their instructor was adamant, "not till I tell you."  BTW we are employing over twice as many lifeguards, etc for this as the previous.  Great youth summer employment but more cost.  When the instructor gave the, "OK  get in the pool"  all the boys jumped from the side.  Except one, who jumped forming a cannonball, the choice of boys down through the ages, creating a big splash.  To this there were giggles from the boys and "aaws" from the girls.  The young man  instructor said, ""I have told you to get in normal" and the human cannonball shouted back, "Well that's normal for me!"   It was hilarious.  



The boy who will become the  human cannonball is  in the middle,
camouflage suit between two girls.  This class has two  teen instructors
and the lifeguard perches in her chair

  I wandered back out still laughing at the waterpisodes when I heard the young gal who had a class of children detained in front, it was not yet their time to enter.  I could hear the kids, mostly boys again, "why can' t we go in?  We wanna go in and just watch.  Puhleeeeze, let us go in"  I'm thinking to myself that some young instructor is earning her pay.  As I walked out, I remembered this group of boys were there when I went it, so no wonder they are impatient.  They are about 5-6 years old and all little boy, one little girl has a need to oversee and the young instructor is sitting down.  I heard her say, "OK guys just sit here with me until it"s time"  And see those boys at the fountain?  Not having it!  "Nah, we want to get wet!"  And so they busied themselves splashing with the water fountain.  Problem solved as they giggled, I did too. 



"C'mon boys just sit here awhile..."  "Nah, we want to get wet!"



So it's time to walk on back home.  Across the street, at Breyers, a local business,  the John Deere's are lined up waiting for buyers, oblivious to the splashing fun going on so close.  Breyers sells and services mowers in the summer and snow blowers, removers in the winter.  Locally owned and operated for years.  Next door was the old family home.  The old folks are now gone and I went there when they held an estate sale.  Just looking.  It is a neat old  house with an upstairs deck.  Something different. It looks like they have not sold the old homestead but use some of it for the shop.   Dave, the owner, has other talents and often sings with his guitar on a morning radio show, especially around holidays when he may have more time.

And speaking of something  different on south 7th street is another small house with an unusual lawn decoration, perhaps they are retired dairy farmers. 

This ends the introduction to our La Crescent Aquatic Center and adjacent sights.