In April, groups of pool supporters in both NE and SE Seattle submitted applications for neighborhood matching fund (NMF) grants.  These grants would make it possible to begin the planning process necessary for adding and/or upgrading Seattle’s public pool facilities. 

Thanks go to the many pool supporters who helped with our NMF application by pledging hours of volunteer time as matching contributions.  The grants are now under consideration by the City.

It is important to do planning like this even in lean economic times because public planning is a slow process.  Doing long-term planning now ensure we have well-thought-out and broadly supported plans at hand when better economic times return.  City Council Resolution R31073 recommends that the next Park capital levy address unmet swimming needs, so ready-to-go plans will be needed when that levy is composed.

Southeast NMF Application (.doc)

Friends of Pools in SE Seattle will hire a professional urban planner to work with Seattle Parks and the community to make site recommendations for a new outdoor pool in southeast Seattle, to assess the service capacity of existing indoor facilities serving residents in the southeast, and to suggest long-term financing options.

Northeast NMF Application (.pdf)  Northeast NMF Budget (.pdf)

Friends of Pools in NE Seattle will hire a professional urban planner to work with Seattle Parks and the community to make site recommendations for a new outdoor pool in northeast Seattle, to recommend enhancements to existing indoor facilities serving residents in the northeast, and to suggest long-term financing options.

See also: Letter of support for NE NMF from the Northeast District Council (.doc)