Park board approves two summer events at city pool and tennis facility

The La Crosse Board of Park Commissioners unanimously approved two special-event requests at its June 18 meeting. The board granted a ticketed event permit to Twenty's Girls Club for a Pilates-and-swim event at Veterans Memorial Pool on July 25, 2026, and approved a fundraising tournament by the Aquinas Tennis Alumni Group for Aug. 8, 2026, at Green Island Tennis Facility; both approvals were contingent on issuance of all other city and county permits, including a special event permit through the clerk's office.

Nikki Olson, a parks staff member who presented both items, said the July pool event will reserve the facility for a local Pilates instructor and include social swim time. "They are looking to reserve the pool, and host a Pilates class with a local instructor, and then part of the time will just be swimming and some socializing," Olson said. The board moved both items to a vote; motions to approve were made by Commissioner Olsen and passed unanimously after brief discussion.

Aquinas Tennis tournament organizer Fritz Wigert, who identified himself as living in La Crosse, told the board the 2025 event raised about $1,500 for a scholarship and that the organizers had already awarded a scholarship this year. "It was a big success last year," Wigert said. The board thanked the organizers and staff for arranging the events.

The meeting concluded after the scheduled items and the board adjourned for its next regular session in July.