District gets pool donation

As far as donations go, the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District has waded into the deep end of the pool thanks to a former swimmer.

The estate of Carol Reineke earmarked $65,000 to support swim programs in the district.

Reineke, a Town of Belgium resident who did lap swimming, died at 75 on June 25.

Reineke began teaching at Cedar Grove-Belgium in 1972 and later taught at the University of Wisconsin-Washington County. After 18 years in education, she got her Realtor’s license and spent 22 years in real estate.

District officials   at the July 6 School Board meeting discussed how the money could be used.

The pool was rebuilt for $2 million as part of a 2022 referendum.

“Our pool is in great shape, and we have quite a bit of money that has been designated to the pool,” Business Manager Tera Rogers said.

She said one possibility is to pay for lap swimming for one year. About 20 people regularly lap swim now, some in the morning and some in the afternoon, for $110 per year.

The district plans to offer free lap swimming to anyone.

Paying for lap swimming and hiring a lifeguard would cost around $4,700, Rogers said.

“It’s not a ton of money but I think it’s a really great thing that we can do,” she said.

“It would be a great honor to her to give this to the community.”

The district may use some of the money to make technological improvements to the pool that would allow for water aerobics classes, Rogers said.