Mayor Announces Successful Completion of Pool Fundraising Drive

Madison – Mayor Dave Cieslewicz today announced the successful completion of the fundraising drive for the Goodman Pool, Madison’s first municipal swimming pool. The fundraising total was put over the top by a $250,000 gift from the Cooper Family Foundation. “The incredibly generous gift from John and Mary Cooper’s Cooper Family Foundation continues the public-private partnership that is at the heart of this endeavor,” said Cieslewicz. “This process started with the Goodman Brothers, continued with the generosity of countless private citizens, local organizations and businesses, and concludes here today with this capstone gift. After 60 years of debate, the final piece is now in place for Madison’s first public swimming pool.” With assistance from the Swimming Pool Finance Committee created by Mayor Cieslewicz, over 75% of the cost for constructing the Goodman Pool will come from non-city sources. With today’s gift, $4.04 million has been donated or pledged from these sources. The size of these donations ranges from the Goodman Brothers’ $2.69 million gift to donations from individuals of just a dollar or two. An additional $1.26 million in city capital funding is also being invested in the project. “We are honored to be joined by all who have given their time and money to make the pool a reality, with special appreciation for the important recent capstone gift of Mary and John Cooper and the Cooper Family Foundation,” Irwin and Robert Goodman said in a statement today (attached). “One of the top priorities of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz was to build a community swimming pool that could be enjoyed by all Madisonians ... With the first community pool in mind, we decided to make the lead gift for this project and we are heartened that our donation has been followed by the amazing support from hundreds of our fellow citizens and local businesses.” To ensure that access to the Goodman Pool is affordable for all Madison families, funds also continue to be solicited for a variety of scholarship programs. A fund has been established honoring the memory of Shelley Glover, a Madison young person, avid swimmer and member of the US Ski Team who died in a tragic skiing accident in 2004. The fund, created by Shelley’s parents, aims to build a $500,000 endowment to provide swimming lessons, life guard training and a swimming team at the Goodman Pool. The Madison Parks Foundation, working in cooperation with the fund, has raised approximately $76,000 for these scholarships. More information is available at www.foundationmadisonschools.com or www.shelleyglover.com. # # # # # Goodman Community Pool Fundraising Update News Conference January 18, 2006 Irwin A. Goodman and Robert D. Goodman Statement We are sorry that we are unable to attend the important news conference today that provides an update on fundraising for Madison’s first community pool. We have found that our energy level currently does not allow us to participate in public functions. But, although we’re not physically in attendance, we ARE there with you “in spirit.” One of the top priorities of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz was to build a community swimming pool that could be enjoyed by all Madisonians. When we became aware of the Mayor’s commitment to a community pool, (something that our city had not been able to accomplish for sixty years), it was a goal that we both supported and wanted to help make a reality. With the first community pool in mind, we decided to make the lead gift for this project and we are heartened that our donation has been followed by the amazing support from hundreds of our fellow citizens and local businesses. We especially appreciate the recent generous major contribution from Mary and John Cooper and the Cooper Family Foundation. This gift is critically important for the completion of Madison’s first community pool. We have lived and worked in Madison for almost seventy years, and we believe that this is the finest city imaginable. During our seventy years as business owners and residents, we have benefited from, and been buoyed by, innumerable kindnesses and generosities that have been shown us by so many people. We feel fortunate to be in a position to give back to the city that has given us so much. It is a privilege to be members of this community, and we are thankful that we have the opportunity to both live in Madison, and to be able to support a better future for our community. We are honored to be joined by all who have given their time and money to make the pool a reality, with special appreciation for the important recent capstone gift of Mary and John Cooper and the Cooper Family Foundation. We want to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Dave Cieslewicz whose dream led to the reality of a community pool. We also want everyone to know that we are both humbled and honored by the naming of the park and community pool after us. We are very appreciative of this recognition. Sincerely, Irwin A. Goodman Robert D. Goodman