Tim Adkisson leaves a legacy in honor of his wife Joannie (Andrews) Adkisson
With Gratitude
It is with tremendous gratitude that we have received a generous donation from longtime Bellevue resident Tim Adkisson in loving memory of his wife Joan (Andrews) Adkisson, known as Joanie to friends.

Joannie was a successful local age-group and high school swimmer and someone whose passion and happiness thrived through her connection to water. Joanie’s story speaks to the importance and impact of a public community pool. From water safety to community connection, exercise to competition, recovery to well-being, access to water played a central role in Joanie’s life.

"It’s this continuity and access for young kids to develop their water safety and love of swimming that really inspired Joanie." Tim Adkisson

Read more about this special gift and tribute to Joanie Andrews Adkisson on our website.

We have alot of news to share! There are a few exciting 2021 Initiatives and FREE events that are taking shape and worth scrolling to the bottom. These efforts are aimed at giving kids inspiration and hope during a time when much of their typical active lifestyles have changed dramatically. Our vision of a brighter future with access to aquatics for everyone is our daily motivator. Being 'in the water' is a daily vitamin we all could use right now to boost our mental well-being.

Please follow us on social media, share this newsletter with a friend, and don't hesitate to reach out with ideas or questions.

Stay healthy & warmest regards,
Susan Pappalardo
Co-Founder & Board President
SPLASHForward
Building Awareness - Save the Date!
Professionally produced by
Don't miss this FREE virtual one-hour event on Saturday, May 1st at 10am aimed at all youth in our community to raise awareness on the benefits of healthy lifestyles through aquatics including the important lifesaving skill of knowing how to swim.
Thank you to our event sponsors!
Thanks ParentMap for being our Parenting Media Sponsor!
If you haven't already, subscribe to ParentMap eNews!
We are looking for additional event sponsors, interested?
Moving us Forward
PNW Swimming Continues with Strong Support for SPLASHForward
Pacific Northwest Swimming has generously continued their support for SPLASHForward with a $50,000 combined donation and pledge. The sport of swimming and introducing youth to swimming is at risk without new pools. The risk is ever more poignant with the shuttered pools due to the pandemic.
Welcome Katoya Palmer
Our Newest Board Member
Thank you Seattle Otters Waterpolo for inviting SPLASHForward to speak at your weekly Happy Hour. Doing so led Water Polo player, Garfield HS swim coach, and YMCA Aquatics Director Katoya Palmer to reach out and say 'I need to join this effort!'. We whole heartedly agreed.

Katoya brings with her a deep passion for aquatics and intimately understands the many benefits access to aquatics can bring to someone’s life. She is an activist, a self-starter, a mother, and a community partnership builder. We are excited to have her uniquely qualified perspective on our Board to bring the voice of our black and minority community to our efforts. Through our Aquatics Pathways initiatives, she is excited to help us establish the community partnerships that will bring greater access to aquatics to those with limited access.
Project Updates
Recommended Concept Plan for Bellevue Health and Aquatic Center
Since the beginning of 2021, we have met regularly with City of Bellevue Parks staff to refine the overall concept plan to a single plan.

This single recommended concept plan builds on the design options (scope and scale of each facility component) presented in the City of Bellevue Aquatics Feasibility Study and in SPLASHForward's Feasibility Study. It is anticipated that the concept plan will be presented to City Council along with a proposed site and early partner interest later this year.

We are laying the foundation for partner discussions and preparing partnership options based on existing facility research as part of our report to Council.

Recall that our biggest goal for 2021 is to receive the green light from City Council to initiate a Design Concept Study with early partner commitments.

Stay tuned as we proceed forward...
Public Private Partnerships 101
SPLASHForward recently had the pleasure of virtually sitting down with the City of Westminster's Parks, Recreation, and Libraries Director Jason Genck to learn the key factors for success in Public Private Partnerships. Jason has led and fostered several major public private partnerships in Colorado, Illinois, and Oregon.

While every project is unique, there are some common success factors.

  • Proven need
  • 'Fire in the Belly' & influential project liaison that facilitates
  • Mission alignment with partners
  • Well documented contracts and ownership agreements with all entities

Thank you Jason!
Aquadome Pool, Buffalo Grove, IL with Buffalo Grove High School
SPLASHForward Initiatives
High School Lifeguard Training
We believe all high school students should have the opportunity to learn a skill that can save lives.

SPLASHForward is sponsoring lifeguard training for a limited number of current Bellevue School District high school students. Sign up is on a first come first serve basis.

Virtual Water Safety
In 2021, as the pandemic wears on, kids and adults have had very limited access to continuing or starting their learn-to-swim progression. We are exploring a virtual water safety education offering that could be made available to local organizations and possibly through local City Parks and Recreation programming. Our goal is to partner with interested entities to create an ongoing offering to supplement any Learn-to-Swim offering.
Going Back in Time
The Green Lake Aqua Theatre
Let's go back to the 1950's when Green Lake's Aqua Theatre was Seattle's civic and cultural hub.

The Aqua Follies featuring acrobatic divers, synchronized swimmers, and theatrical spectacle drew crowds in the hundreds and thousands. The 5,000 seat theatre was rapidly built in just over two months with crews working three eight hour shifts a day!
"The Aqua Theatre stimulated the growth of local talent & creativity. It set the stage for Seattle's emergence as a regional and national venue for a variety of cultural life of the 20th Century."
The Aqua Follies ran for fifteen years followed by Seafair and live concert events. In 1968, a Forward Thrust Bond allowed the construction of a Small Craft Center that has since been updated and in use today. By 1979, the diving towers were demolished and three grandstands are all that remains.

Enjoy taking in this piece of aquatic and cultural' history on your next jog or walk around Green Lake!
Quick Quiz
How many 50 meter pools are in the State of Washington?
3
  1. 1 Indoor - Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, Federal Way
  2. 1 Outdoor - Colman Pool, Seattle
  3. 1 inoperable as a 50 meter - South Kitsap Community Pool, Port Orchard (bulkhead inoperable)
How does the State of Washington rank nationally for 50 meter competition pools per capita?
38th
Based on 2018 data collected by Isaac Sports Group
Help us Tell Our Story
We are always looking for ways to share our story.

Here are two ways you can help...

  1. Tell at least one friend about us
  2. Connect us with anyone who you think needs to hear this story

We are happy to be a featured presenter in your next virtual group or team meeting. Invite us to a virtual social gathering of your community organizations or friends and we'll share our story and answer questions.

Thanks in advance!
We believe aquatics unites us, makes our communities stronger, and that public aquatics facilities improve our health and well being.
#StrongerTogether