Progress Thus Far

Initial Pool Study.  Thanks to strong community support, the Parks Department will perform an initial pool feasibility study in 2008.  Money for the study will come from the existing parks budget and cover an assessment of needs.  Thanks go to the Parks Department for finding a way to make funds available despite a tight budget.  Thanks will also soon go to the City Council for passing a Statement of Legislative Intent to support this study.

Next Steps

Now:  Parks Strategic Plan.  We need to get pools prioritized in the Park’s Department’s New Strategic Plan.  Further steps (study funding, etc.) will not be possible unless we get prioritized at this key stage.  Please attend one of the 33 upcoming public meetings across Seattle and Speak for Pools.

Summer 2008:  Mayor’s Budget.  After completion of the initial pool study and our (hopefully) successful efforts to get pools into the Parks Strategic plan, the door will be open to advocate for the addition of a full feasibility study to the Mayor’s 2008 budget next year.  That money would allow the city to hire an urban planner to assess costs and sites, plus hold community meetings to get input on the number and location of pools.

2009:  Urban Planning Meetings.  The urban planner (theoretically hired with money allocated as described above) will hold community meetings across the city.  At this time, pool advocates for specific areas and configurations can speak up.  This is the time for communities to reach out to the City and request pool facilities (outdoor, indoor, rehab, 50 meter, whatever is needed) in their own neighborhoods.   

Late 2009-?:  Fund Raising.  After the urban planner (hypothetically) completes a full, city-wide feasibility study for pools and finishes gathering community input, he will release a list of potential sites.  At this time, neighborhood groups can speak up in favor particular sites.  This will be the time to raise funds and write grant proposals to assist with construction costs.