Grafton pool Project

A: We don't know. The equipment room floor is sinking due to multiple floods over the years. The main sewer line is damaged along with the filtration lines. The pool loses over 6,500 gallons of water every day. Best answer we can give is...the pool will close when we are unable to filter water. 

 A: There were fifty (50) community stakeholders interviewed in the feasibility study throughout the Fall of 2024. Interviews were conducted by Kristi Wilfahrt, a consultant for nonprofits and fund development, to assess the community’s capacity (willingness and ability) to raise the $3 million gap between the ¼ cent sales tax ordinance that passed July 2024, for a new outdoor pool in Leistikow Park.   

 A: Community stakeholders included prospective lead and major gift partners and donors, community leaders, and other potential individuals, partner organizations, and funders.

 A: The gap in funding was significant and caused concern for the people and organizations who would be called upon to help fund the gap. While many agree the outdoor pool is a great amenity, the majority of the stakeholders interviewed shared concern about the high cost of the outdoor pool and its limited use of 9-10 weeks / year. They also acknowledged regionally, many of the community pools were built 70 years ago and have failed or are failing, noting it wasn’t just Grafton’s pool. In addition, several community organizations reported challenges in meeting their recreational needs through current space and/or programming and felt a year-round facility could help meet their needs, as well provide new opportunities. 

A significant growth was reported regarding the number of younger people in or desiring to participate in various activities such as swimming lessons, gymnastics, basketball, and other youth sports where the seasons overlap making available practice space and open participation a challenge. There is also a desire for multi-use recreational space and programs that are available to all generations. 

Overall, stakeholders felt the next prudent step was to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive health & wellness center where there are more partners, activities, and revenue available to increase the amenities and to help fund the pool.

Unfortunately, the IBIS Enterprises NE Regional Wellness Center Business Plan showed that without a substantial amount of funding from businesses and partnerships to help cover the $435,757 annual operating loss, the indoor wellness center is not possible.

 A: IBIS Enterprises is an expert in healthcare, wellness, fitness, and recreation Business Planning. Grafton Parks & Recreation contracted with IBIS to complete the financial planning and private public partnerships to determine to what extent a year-round aquatics and recreation center is possible. The final business plan for the Northeast Regional Wellness Center was presented to the public on June 3rd, 2025. Unfortunately, the IBIS Enterprises NE Regional Wellness Center Business Plan showed that without a substantial amount of funding from businesses and partnerships to help cover the $435,757 annual operating loss, the indoor wellness center is not possible. Click here to read the NERWC Business Plan on the Pool News page under the Study Documents section.

 A: The cost to build a new outdoor pool with the same capacity as the current pool is $5-6 million. The ICON Architectural Group Leistikow Park Outdoor Pool Facility Assessment found that the cost of repairing the current pool would exceed the cost of building new.

The Pool Project portion of the sales tax is estimated to generate $125,000 annually for 20 years totaling $2.5 million leaving a funding gap of $3-4 million, which is beyond the Grafton Parks annual budget.

A: Grafton Park Board hired ICON Architectural Group to perform a Facility Assessment of the current pool. They found that the price to repair the issues with the current pool facility exceeds the cost of building a new outdoor pool facility. Read the ICON Facility Assessment in the Downloads section above.

A: Grafton Parks & Recreation has looked into what a barebone rectangle pool would cost and found that the pool construction cost is based on square footage. It would cost more to build what is currently there rather then the new design in the renderings since the current proposed design is slightly smaller then the current pool.

A: Yes, removing the slide, rock climbing wall, and splash play structure would reduce the construction cost of the pool by $750,000, which would bring the total construction estimate down to $5,750,000.

A: The Grafton Park Board will build a new outdoor pool with the money raised. If we need to go back to the drawing board or need to split the project into phases then that is what will happen. Please support the new Leistikow Park pool! Donate today by following this link or contact Matt or Bill at the Grafton Parks office at 701-352-1842 to discuss donation options. Your gift isn’t just funding a feature—it teaches children how to swim, creates safe play spaces, and provides shared summer experiences for generations of families. 

A: Over the last 70 years, Grafton Parks has performed several maintenance repairs and improvements.

Major Renovations:

1. 1973 - Removed diving boards, changed depth in deep end from 10' to 6', & removed wading pool.
2. 1993 - Installed stainless steel gutters, pool liner, replaced pool pump & sand filter.
3. 2009 - Pool repair and new pool liner $64,000
4. 2012 - Brought facility up to ADA compliance with bathroom renovations, handicap pool lift, new deck around pool, new pool slides, removed and replaced sinking floor in Lifeguard Office $105,000

Minor Maintenance:

1. 2011- Replace boiler coils ($7,500)
2. 2013 - Replaced Chlorinator with Pulsar automatic feeder ($2400)
3. 2014 - Replaced boiler pump and control ($4,100) & pool pump ($2,500). Replaced pool ladder & pool deck furniture ($1,000)
4. 2016 - Repaired pool pump ($1,200). Installed rubber flooring & repainted bathrooms & office ($3,700). Repaired pool showers ($400).
5. 2017 - Replaced pool pump ($4,700) & strainer basket ($1,500). Repaired pool boiler ($350).
6. 2019 - Repaired pool boiler ($600).
7. 2020 - Repaired pool pump ($1,500).
8. 2021 - Added pool deck furniture ($2,250). Replaced pool boiler pump ($1,100).
9. 2022 - Replaced Chlorinator ($6,400) & Pool Pump Motor ($4,500). Repaired pool boiler ($670).

A: No. Grafton Parks & Recreation Foundation will manage all monies from sales tax, fund raisers, and donations to the pool project. Monies will be deposited in Grafton Parks and Recreation Foundation's account and will only be used for the pool renovation project. Click here to find out more about the Grafton Parks & Recreation Foundation.

A: For every $100 you spend on taxable merchandise in Grafton, it will cost you an additional .25 cents.

A: Now that ordinance 351 for a quarter percent sales tax for the pool project passed on June 11th, 2024, help can come in 3 major ways:

1. Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to the Grafton Parks & Recreation Foundation for the Grafton Pool Project.
2. Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to the Leistikow Park Pool Endowment
3. Volunteer to help with fundraising opportunities for the Grafton Pool Project!