Landform led the design efforts, managed the design subconsultants and assisted with project management. In 2011, Olson helped launch the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s master planning process, which eventually led to the development of the Webber Park Natural Swimming Pool. The 500-swimmer capacity pool has had a long journey to development, beginning more than five years ago.
WEBBER POOL PROFESSIONAL
“This pool provides a pristine lake-like experience, so that swimmers can enjoy the water without the chemical smell and feel of chlorine,” said Kendra Lindahl, principal planner at Landform Professional Services. And now, thanks to the vision of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioner Jon Olson and the commitment of his development team, swimmers at North Minneapolis’ Webber Park just might feel as if they’re swimming in lake number 11,843. The actual number of lakes in Minnesota is 11,842. (pool house)Įngineer: Landform Professional Services LLC (civil), Engineering Design Initiative (plumbing, mechanical and electrical)Įditor’s note: This is the 24 th installment in Finance & Commerce’s Top Projects of 2015 series, which profiles the 26 honorees through Sept. Last week the shallow pool, the one with the zero-depth entry for toddlers and non-swimmers, was closed for a few days while the deeper pool for diving and lap swimming was open.Architect: Landform Professional Services LLC (landscape) Collaborative Design Group Inc. Park spokeswoman Robin Smothers said the 15 days of closures doesn’t account for the days when one of the pools was closed. The price climbed to $7 million from the initial estimate of $4 million. “As tempting as it is, we want to keep this as a unique facility.”īefore the pool ever opened, there were problems with ducks and toads dirtying the cleansing pond. “It’s been suggested,” Barrick said ruefully. We just need to find a way to keep it open.”Ĭhlorine isn’t an option - yet. “It’s a great swimming pool, it’s a great asset. “They have every right to be upset, I get it,” he said. Severson said he’s heard from many constituents who are unhappy about the situation. Compounding the problem in Severson’s district is the closure of the wading pool at Folwell Park because of leaks and the shuttering of the splash pad at the North Mississippi Regional Park. Park Commissioner Kale Severson said he has encouraged constituents to visit the North Commons pool, but unlike the pool at Webber Park, there is a charge to use that facility. “We’re looking for humane ways to deter the wildlife,” Barrick said.īarrick said park staff has shared their meticulous records with the pool’s designers, and weather conditions and cleaning protocols aren’t the problem. He noted the pool is in its fourth season and the intrepid urban ducks may have grown accustomed to the deterrents in place, such as sparkly materials, a single owl and the alligator heads. Typically, natural filtration pool systems take five years to mature, Barrick said. Last year, the pool was closed only six days for the whole season. The three-year-old, $7 million Webber pool was the first of its kind in the country. The daily water tests screen for fecal matter and excess sediment. The 500,000 gallons of water from the Webber pool get run through an adjacent pond where some 7,000 aquatic plants are supposed to scrub the water. Most swimming pools are cleaned with chlorine. Barrick said they’re looking at putting some sort of netting over the holding pond and buying temporary fountains to set up at night and disturb the pool surface. Those changes include adding predator decoys to try to deter ducks from landing in the pools, including coyotes and more owls. “New site changes recommended by the pool’s designer are being put into place,” the site said. On the Park Board website announcing Tuesday’s closing, there was an indication that something is being done. “We feel like the wildlife is the key,” he said. It appears that the ducks are swimming - and depositing fecal matter - in the holding pond during the day and in the swimming pools at night and overtaxing the natural filtration system, Barrick said. “We’re working really hard to figure this out.” “We’re frustrated, obviously,” said Jeremy Barrick, assistant superintendent for environmental stewardship. The ducks are to blame for the water problems at Webber Park pool in north Minneapolis, which was closed Tuesday for the 15th day this summer after failing another quality test.
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