Attendees:  19 pool team members engaged in high-energy planning and idea-sharing in the garden until we were swimming in rain. 

Handouts:  Agenda, Old Draft Proposal for Aquatics Plan, Flyers, Fact Sheet, Model Endorsement Letter, Evolution of the Skate Park Plan & About Us

Path of Action:  Pursue Funding for a Comprehensive Aquatics Plan

Now — Mid-September:

  • Fundraising and Outreach.  The Agenda links to outreach materials. 
  • Present planning requests to the Parks Board of Commissioners (August 28th)

Mid-September – October:  Engage in City Council’s Budget Review Process

  • Show strong public support for all aquatics elements that appear in the Mayor’s budget.  Encourage testimony in writing and in person.
  • Appeal to Council to fund the Aquatics Plan in the biannual budget. 
  • Offer to assist with fund raising to leverage the pubic funds needed for planning.
  • Stress the importance of doing costing/planning before the 2010 levy covering pools (recommended by City Council Resolution 37013). 
  • Emphasize how the plan would investigate ways to reduce the cost of existing facilities, plus address revenue streams for ongoing operations and maintenance.  Examples:
    • Upgrade Rainier Beach facility (reduce maintenance costs)
    • Convert wading pools to spray parks (conserve water)
    • Add warm-water teaching pools alongside existing pools (increase capacity of facilities and increase revenues)
    • Improve energy efficiency of facilities
    • Add slides (enhance popularity of & revenue from less-used facilities).
    • Consider funding options that could augment income from user fees.
  • Stress that the City Council needs to make a commitment to work to find innovative solutions for funding ongoing maintenance & operation of Parks and Recreation facilities, especially pools.

Noteworthy Challenges:

  • Parks just considered closing facilities (including pools) to cover its $6 million budget cut this year.
  • Identifying reliable funding streams to pay for long-term operational and maintenance costs is the prime blocker for new or enhanced Parks facilities of any kind, including pools.

Please email elizabeth@seattlepools.org to request the full meeting notes.