Bellevue Community Meeting
Thursday, January 19th
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Come share your voice & join us! |
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This Thursday, the City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services is holding the third community meeting in the master plan process for Bellevue Airfield Park. It's time to show our strong aquatic center support. We expect this meeting to be well attended by all constituents and ample opportunities for discussion.
We'd love to see you in your SPLASHForward t-shirt! We'll have a limited number of shirts to give away at the meeting, so come early. See below on how to get your very own shirt.
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Thursday, January 19th
6:30pm - 8:00pm
South Bellevue Community Center
14509 SE Newport Way, Bellevue
No RSVP Required
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Don't forget to take the city's newest survey to weigh in on the plan alternatives and share your support for the aquatic center.
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Following Thursday's meeting, the Parks Board will develop a master plan recommendation to present to City Council. By the end of 2023, we hope to see the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) study completed and the master plan adopted. This will mark the official start to the design phase for the aquatic center. |
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Thank you again for your kindness and generosity during our end of year campaign. Additional gifts moved us closer to our goal with just over $25,000 raised. Together we will bring greater access to aquatics so that everyone has a place to belong, connect, learn essential life skills, and have fun!
Drop in during office hours (see below) with your questions and see you on the 19th!
Warmest regards,
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Susan Pappalardo
Co-Founder & President
SPLASHForward
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There are three ways to secure your very own SPLASHForward t-shirt.
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We'll be giving away a limited number of shirts at the meeting - COME EARLY
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Donate $150 or more to receive a free shirt.
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Purchase yours through our partner Chlorine Deckwear
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Remembering the fight for civil rights |
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The Medgar Evers Pool in Seattle’s Central District |
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The Medgar Evers Pool in Seattle’s Central District stands as a monument to the power of Black organizing. Medgar Evers played a leading role in our country's civil rights history. He heroically challenged segregation in his home state of Mississippi in the 50's and early 60's.
He fought to expand opportunities for Black Americans leading movements to desegregate all public facilities including schools, pools, public beaches and the integration of public parks. In 1963, while serving as the NCAAP's first field secretary in Mississippi he was assassinated at his home.
In 1969, as the result of a community petition, Seattle's community pool was named in his honor. Black-led union organizers demanded Black contractors be hired changing the way public agencies in WA State went to bid. His legacy lives on here in Seattle and we are inspired by his activism. |
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Drop In Office Hours - Everyone is Welcome |
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We're holding office hours starting tomorrow! Drop in any time during hours to ask your questions and learn more about us, the new Bellevue Aquatic Center concept, and the master plan process for Bellevue Airfield Park.
Tuesday, January 17th - on Zoom
12:00pm - 12:30pm
7:00pm - 7:30pm
Watch for more hours after the community meeting and on into '23!
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February 14th Parks Board Meeting |
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Put the February Parks Board meeting in your valentine day plans, purchase your SPLASHForward t-shirt, and join us Tuesday, February 14th 6:00pm at Bellevue City Hall. The Parks Board will review all community input as they develop their master plan recommendation to City Council for Bellevue Airfield Park. We'd love to have you in the room adding your voice of support for the new Bellevue Aquatic Center. |
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Yes, it's Valentine's Day, but we're guessing your true love is the water? |
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YMCA / Sammamish Community Aquatic Center |
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A few highlights...
- The YMCA has a lease agreement with the city to operate & maintain the $32.9M 69,000 sq ft facility.
- It took 3yrs from design phase to opening doors in 2016.
- As a membership based facility it serves approximately 20% of the city’s population.
- Membership is 65-68% Sammamish residents, the rest come from Issaquah, Redmond, and Fall City
- 1,000 swim lessons/month are provided with waitlists ~50-60 deep for each class.
- Childcare is part of membership.
- Currently there are ~84 lifeguards and they could easily hire 30 - 50 more to meet programming needs.
- Swim lessons and programming is limited by staffing not space.
- Demand is great. An additional gym, larger pool, and additional workout space would better serve community needs.
- Flexible spaces optimize ability to meet programming needs
Last Thursday, the PFEC began the process of building the Parks ballot measure recommendation. We will use the past three months of Parks foundational knowledge and community input from the recent PROS plan. At our next meeting we'll receive an update from the Recreation and Aquatic Center feasibility study team.
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January 17th, 24th & 25th - SPLASHForward Office Hours
January 19th - Bellevue Airfield Park Community Meeting
February 3rd - SPLASHForward presents at the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary
February 14th - Valentine's Day & Bellevue Parks Board Meeting! Show your love for aquatics!
February 22nd - SPLASHForward presents at the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland
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Please share this newsletter, our social media posts, and invite your friends and neighbors to attend on January 19th to add their voice. Thank you in advance!! |
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We believe aquatics unites us, makes our communities stronger, and that public aquatics facilities improve our health and well being. |
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