Ashland Area Aquatics

The Ashland Pool is the dream of a local nonprofit group not affiliated with any government entity or the City of Ashland.

The project is currently raising funds for Phase 1 through community support, grants, and grassroots fundraising efforts.

Early estimates for an outdoor pool like the ones in our comparison communities range from about $6–10 million, depending on size, features, and location. Phase 1 will give us a real cost estimate for Ashland, so we can right-size the project and fundraise for a specific goal.

One of the key goals of Phase 1 is to explore funding options that avoid burdening local taxpayers. No taxpayer funding is being asked for at this time.

Our goal is to build a long-term, self-sustaining funding model that ensures the aquatic facility would be viable for many years in the future.

We’d love an indoor pool too! But indoor aquatic facilities in our region have cost $30 million or more to build, and they’re expensive to heat, ventilate, and staff year-round. Even communities that have indoor pools often struggle to keep them open.

An outdoor pool is estimated at $6–10 million, a goal we believe our community can realistically reach through private donations, grants, and partnerships, without new taxes. It also costs far less to operate, which makes it sustainable for the long term.

We see an outdoor pool as an achievable first step: one that gets everyone swimming, expands swim lessons and water safety, and gives families a place to gather here at home.

A site has not yet been determined. Several potential locations will be evaluated during Phase 1 based on accessibility, cost, infrastructure, and community benefit, before any decisions are made.
We welcome your input on the location. If you have a plot of land in mind greater than 3 acres in or near the city limits of Ashland that may be a viable option that you wish to donate, please contact us.

No. The splash pad is a separate project led by the Ashland Rotary Club. This effort is focused specifically on exploring a community pool facility, and the two projects are independent.

This is a core focus of Phase 1. We are working with professional aquatic planners to estimate annual operating, staffing, and maintenance costs, and to identify sustainable funding strategies. The goal is to ensure the facility is financially responsible and viable long-term before moving forward.

There is no set timeline yet. Phase 1 will help determine the overall project scope, cost, and feasibility, which will inform future phases and timelines. We are committed to moving thoughtfully to ensure long-term success.

If the project moves forward, pricing structures will be designed to balance affordability for residents with sustainable operations. Community input will help guide these decisions.

Lake Superior is a beautiful and important part of our community—but it doesn’t meet all needs.

Water temperatures, safety conditions, beach closures and advisories, accessibility, and lack of amenities can limit its use. A pool provides a safe, supervised, and accessible environment for swimming lessons, recreation, and families and individuals of all ages and abilities.

There are lots of ways to help bring a pool to the Ashland area:

Spread the word. Follow us on Facebook and share our posts with friends and neighbors.

Share your voice. Take our community survey. It takes about 5 minutes and helps shape everything that comes next.

Give. Every donation brings us closer to our $25,000 Phase 1 goal for a professional feasibility study. Donate here.

Volunteer. We’re looking for help with events, fundraising, outreach, and committees. Contact us to learn more.