Case Study: From Failing Pool to Future-Ready Aquatics Center at Milton High School

In Wisconsin, swimming isn’t just a sport, it’s a part of community life. With more than 15,000 lakes and a long-standing tradition of aquatic recreation, access to safe, functional swimming facilities is essential for students and families alike. For many families, school pools are the primary place where students learn water safety, train, and compete, making them a critical community resource. With 8 schools and more than 3,000 students covering a geographic area of nearly 100 square miles, the School District of Milton recognized that their high school pool, which was originally built in 1963, was no longer meeting the needs of their students, staff, or community. What began as routine evaluations turned into a collaborative, multi-year journey to design and build a state-of-the-art aquatics center that will serve generations to come.

A Trusted Relationship, Years in the Making

Ramaker was first introduced to the School District of Milton in 2009, when we were hired to assist with main drain improvements to help the district meet updated VGBA (Virginia Graeme Baker Act) safety standards. This early engagement marked the beginning of a strong working relationship built on trust, efficiency, and responsive service.

By 2018, the school district faced growing concerns about the pool’s condition. Originally built for a much smaller student population, the facility—a six-lane, 25-yard indoor pool—was showing significant wear after 55 years of continuous use.

The Evaluation: Balancing Short-Term Needs with Long-Term Vision

In May 2018, Ramaker was contracted to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the high school natatorium. This study included:

• Pool water treatment and filtration system assessment
• Structural analysis of the pool basin and tile
• HVAC and air circulation review
• ADA compliance review for locker rooms and pool access
• Lighting, deck drainage, and spectator area evaluation
• Cost estimates for repair, renovation, or replacement

During the evaluation failing gutter systems, aging cast iron piping, corrosion, poor air circulation, and various code compliance issues were found. While  While the pool had been well maintained, it was clear that the aging infrastructure could not continue to support the district’s growing aquatics programming and student population.

Within two months, Ramaker presented the school board with several repair and replacement options, helping them make informed decisions for both immediate improvements and future planning.

Interim Repairs: Keeping Programs Running While Planning Ahead

To buy time for long-term planning, Ramaker was hired in 2019 to deliver architectural and engineering services that would extend the life of the existing pool for up to five more years. Our in-house architects and engineers designed improvements that included:

• ADA upgrades, including a new lift and locker room updates
• Wall tile removal and replacement with durable epoxy finishes
• Pool deck slope correction and tile repairs
• Gutter restoration and HVAC system upgrades

Construction was completed in summer 2019—just in time for the fall swim season. The community kept swimming while the district considered what would come next.

Community Advocacy: Building Public Support for Aquatics

That same year, a local nonprofit called Friends of Milton Pool, Inc. was formed. This passionate group of parents, alumni, and swim advocates raised awareness about the importance of aquatics programming in Milton. They rallied public support through fundraising, community events, and even attended a school board meeting in swimsuits to emphasize their cause.

From competitive swim teams and physical education to Special Olympics and safety training, the existing pool was a vital resource for everyone from third graders learning to swim to first responders using the pool for dive training.

The community’s message was clear: aquatics matter.

In April 2019, Milton voters approved a $59.9 million referendum to support district-wide facility upgrades. This included replacing the aging high school pool with a new, modern aquatics center designed to serve the district for decades. The referendum passed with a strong show of community support, thanks in part to the groundwork laid by previous evaluations and public engagement.

Designing the Future: A New Aquatics Center Takes Shape

Following the referendum, Ramaker was engaged by Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) to provide full aquatic engineering services for the new high school facility.

The design featured:

• An eight-lane competition swimming pool built to NFHS standards
• A 12-foot-deep diving well with two one-meter boards
• A deck-level gutter system with integrated grating
• ADA-accessible features, including a ramp
• A below-grade mechanical room and at-grade chemical rooms for safe, efficient operations

Our team developed construction-ready plans that met all state code requirements and competition guidelines. Final design documents were completed in early 2020, with construction beginning that summer.

Despite the challenges of 2020, construction was completed in August 2021—on time for the fall swim season and the start of a new school year. The result was a facility that met modern standards for accessibility, sustainability, and performance.

A Lasting Impact: More Than Just a Pool

The new Milton High School aquatic center now serves as a vital hub for students, families, and the wider community. It supports a wide variety of programs, including:

• High school swim teams and athletic cross-training
• Third-grade swim instruction
• Youth swim lessons and community lap swim
• Adult fitness classes and water safety training
• Birthday parties and community events
• Special Olympics, Boy Scouts, and law enforcement dive training

As the old pool space found new life as classrooms, the district maximized every square foot of its investment. What began as a failing 1960s pool evolved into a modern facility ready to serve for the next 50 years—and Ramaker is proud to have been a trusted partner every step of the way.

Ramaker’s Role: A True Partner from Evaluation to Ribbon Cutting

Over the course of more than a decade, Ramaker supported the School District of Milton with:

• Aquatic evaluations and facility studies
• Short-term repair design and implementation
• Public engagement and referendum preparation
• Full aquatic engineering for the new facility

This long-term partnership demonstrates how Ramaker can meet districts of all sizes where they are, whether that’s conducting a feasibility study, extending the life of an existing pool, or designing a state-of-the-art new build. With a multidisciplinary, in-house team—including aquatic, structural, MEP, and architectural experts—we help schools and their architect partners streamline projects, reduce risk, and keep programming moving forward while planning for future needs.

High School Pool Design Services

Since 1992, Ramaker’s team of aquatic designers and engineers has helped K-12 school districts across the nation assess their aquatic facilities and address necessary renovations. From leisure pools for recreational use and swimming lessons to USA Swimming-certified competition pools, Ramaker has built a wide-ranging aquatic design and engineering portfolio.

Is it time to repair or replace your high school’s competition pool? Start a conversation with Ramaker today.