$4.7 Million Donation To Fund Wauwatosa New Aquatic Center

WAUWATOSA, WI — Thanks to a $4.7 million donation, the Wauwatosa School District is about to make a huge splash.

Thanks to a generous donation by John and Tashia Morgridge, both 1951 alumni of the Wauwatosa School District, Wauwatosa East High School will receive a new, state-of-the-art aquatic space.

The donation will fund a complete renovation of the existing pool space inside Wauwatosa East High School. The project will improve the condition of the pool itself and will also include the renovation of the surrounding aquatic space; modernizing the interior and updating locker rooms to provide universal access and meet the needs of all students, staff, and recreational participants that the pool currently serves, the district said Tuesday online via social media and in a letter to parents.

In addition to the renovation of East High School’s aquatic space, the Morgridge’s donation, totaling $4.7 million, will also fund an outdoor learning space for the new Lincoln Elementary School.

“We are so incredibly grateful for the generosity of John and Tashia Morgridge. Their investment in this community is a tremendous gift that will serve the students and residents of Wauwatosa for decades to come,” said Superintendent Phil Ertl in a statement.

Morgridge, Chairman Emeritus of Cisco Systems, is making the donation in honor of the 1951 State, Suburban, and Cardinal Relays champion swim team, of which John is a proud member, district officials said.

“Growing up in the 40’s and 50’s, Wauwatosa provided an ideal childhood environment. Schools and pools were a key part of its basic fabric. For us, the benefits of that experience have lasted a lifetime. This donation is made to help ensure that same environment for TOSA kids in the future,” said Tashia and John Morgridge in a joint statement.