The Madison Community Pool has been a summer staple for Madison families since 1968, but after this recent summer, members are questioning if it will return. The pool has described themselves as a “community-focused” organization. However, the community has expressed frustration on local community forums and at town council meetings over the operation of the pool. The future of this pool could be in jeopardy after a summer of high prices and reported harsh treatment of customers and staff.
After the summer season, the pool faced controversy and questions from the town and its own staff members. Dozens of workers did not receive their full, or any, paycheck. According to an employee, after a mixup of the payroll in early July, the times at which payments would come out were unpredictable and most of the time late. In late September, the pool corporation was brought into the local courthouse where Madison residents could express their complaints and question the stability of the pool and employees could demand restitution.
Another common complaint that surfaced at the MCP this past summer was the cost for memberships. Family memberships have increased in cost over the years, but this season reached its peak, costing families around a thousand dollars for a summer at the pool. Another complaint that also surfaced was guest policies, costing members 20 dollars per guest of any age or swimming ability. A junior at Madison and second year lifeguard at the pool, Kate Scarpa, tells Dodger Media, “It was difficult at times to enjoy work while hearing complaints from customers. I hope for the future years of the pool, they revamp their system and turn things around.”
Over the past few years, the system of managers that have operated the pool has been inconsistent. During this past summer season, there were more than eight managers. Two managers quit mid-season and more have stated that they will not return. Some managers have been reported as being unkind and unfriendly towards elderly residents. One report from the town council hearing was of managers kicking out senior citizens and banning them for two weeks after asking management to turn the music down.
The pool facility is outdated. Residents report that the bathrooms have slippery floors, broken slides that didn’t open until July, and infestations of wasps and hornets across the property. Between the complaints, unpaid services, and expensive costs, residents question the future of the pool for their families.
The town loned the pool around 200,000 dollars to pay all their current staff that is owed funds, but the pool must pay them back. Coupled with the rest of the financial instability and facility problems, the corporation has a lot of decisions to make going forward.