By City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – On July 1, the city of Wisconsin Rapids cut the ribbon on their new aquatic facility at Witter Field.

“It’s been many decades in the making,” said Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser. “Back in late 2016, the common council approved the concept of a regional aquatic center. On April 6 of 2017, the plans were put out there to the public so everybody could see them, and then in May of 2019, we finally had our groundbreaking.”

The Wisconsin Rapids Recreation Complex is scheduled to open on July 6; however, precautions have been put in place due to COVID. City Times staff photo

Blaser credited the Mayor’s Youth Council for their fundraising and marketing efforts on the $12 million project.

“And you won’t find it anywhere on any plaque here, but I think it is important that we need to point out that the citizens of Wisconsin Rapids invested $9.5 million of long-term debt to pay for the complex,” Blaser said.

Wisconsin Rapids Public Works Director Joe Terry called the project a “testament to the elected officials, staff, and most importantly the community.”

“The vision of this facility was for a year-round park and aquatic center. The splash pad, playground, and amenities outside of the pool area allow for an extended season,” Terry said about the facility’s usability.

“The design and architecture of the pool deck and buildings is a contemporary design, yet uses traditional materials and is a complement to nature and use of nice and vibrant colors.

“The multiple bodies of water allow for programming flexibility and allows for mechanical, health, or staff shortage shutdown of one body of water, without having to close the park.

Terry added that amenities, such as the zipline and the climbing wall, have been delayed due to COVID 19.

The Wisconsin Rapids Recreation Complex is scheduled to open on July 6; however, precautions have been put in place due to COVID.

Patrons will currently be limited to 50 percent of its design – 400 –and only residents of the following areas will be able to use the facility: city of Wisconsin Rapids, village of Vesper, town of Hansen, town of Cranmoor, city of Nekoosa, village of Biron, village of Port Edwards, village of Rudolph, town of Rudolph, town of Grand Rapids, town of Port Edwards, town of Saratoga, town of Seneca,  town of Sigel, and members of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/WRAquatics.