We, the undersigned, represent a passionate group of parents, residents, and advocates from the Bloomer community. United in our vision, we propose the development of the Blackhawk Community Recreation Complex, which will include a state-of-the-art gymnasium and an eight-lane swimming pool. This facility will serve all community members, fostering physical well-being, social bonds, and diverse programs for a wide range of age groups and interests. We invite you to join us in making this vision a reality, we are hoping that we are able to partner with the local school districts, and other local established facilities to create a stronger community with more opportunities.  

We acknowledge that our proposal was initially planned for presentation at a later stage, but some misinformation in the community, which could have slowed this project down, prompted us to act sooner. Our goal is to create a facility that benefits everyone in the community, and provide transparency to help ensure community interest and involvement.

The complex's primary features include:

1. A state-of-the-art gymnasium for various sports, community events, and regional tournaments.  This facility could host wrestling meets, allow for wrestling practices, as well as host weight lifting events for the school and the community.

2. An eight-lane lap pool to accommodate swim teams, aquatic programs, and Special Olympics competitions.

3. A splash pad with slides and a dedicated space separate from the lap pool.

4. Early childhood learning programs and community classes.

5. After-school childcare and daycare services.

6. Dedicated support for Special Olympics athletes and individuals with special needs.

7. A rock climbing wall in the pool.

8. A rentable multi-purpose room for community events, classes, and workshops.

9. A modern and well-equipped fitness center accessible to all community members.

10. An outdoor recreational area, including a playground, walking trails, and picnic facilities.

11. A new senior center within the community complex.

In light of the current school district's debt structure, which has delayed the construction of a new high school facility even further, through no fault of the school district, Covid increased costs and unfortunately every saw the impact.   Our proposed project will help alleviate the financial burden on the school system by taking on the cost of the gymnasium, weight room and exercise facilities, and expand it to include the new pool, splash pad, rock climbing wall, and other community center spaces. This collaboration will benefit both the school district and the broader community.

We aim to secure a USDA community improvement grant, covering up to 75% of the project's cost. The remaining funds will be raised through fundraisers and support from local businesses and personal donors. This will benefit the local school district by taking on the cost of the gymnasium, exercise room, and conference centers, enabling more funding for teacher compensation and any number of the school districts financial obligations.

This facility would run under a 501 non profit, it would be managed by a board of directors, and all finances would be handled by a local accounting agency.  we would attempt to remove as many conflicts of interest as possible to ensure continued community support.  

In talking with local administrators and business owners we have been able to work out many concerns that they have had as well as talk about exciting ways that this would benefit them.  We are actively seeking additional partnerships and support from other local businesses, potential stakeholders, and surrounding school districts in hopes of creating a swimming co-op with smaller surrounding communities, further expanding the revenue and local impact of this project.

By working together, we can effectively bridge any financial gaps and create a facility that serves our community's needs.  Walking up and down main Street,  you can see how the city is expanding and adopting new and exciting businesses that promote health, fitness and education. it is clear that there is a desire in this town to have access to these essential resources.    

Bloomer's unique location offers a geographic advantage that the complex can capitalize on, attracting visitors and generating significant revenue through hosting events such as track and tennis meets, basketball, swimming, volleyball and baseball tournaments, all of these events bring in funding to the local community clubs and teams, reducing the cost to parents, and school districts.  A large facility means that we would also be able to accommodate larger outdoor events at our existing track and football field.  This project can serve as a catalyst for community growth and revitalization, contributing to a brighter future for all.

By signing this petition, we collectively express our support for the Blackhawk Community Recreation Complex and urge the Bloomer School District parents, teachers, and administrators to assess the benefits of this project, and if you feel this would benefit you or a loved one, please consider sharing this petition as well. We are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that our vision becomes a reality.

We encourage community members to attend public meetings, engage in the planning process, and stay informed about the project's progress. We plan to hold town hall meetings, workshops, and online forums to facilitate open dialogue and collaboration. By maintaining transparency and addressing concerns, we can create a project that respects the legacy of the existing facility while