King County, Washington, has threatened to close pools and parks to help overcome budget shortfalls. Included in the list of possible closures is the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. The Aquatic Center has hosted three USMS National Championship meets.
Please visit King County Executive Page to vote in the on line poll for the one recreational facility that you use most. Wednesday morning only 2% of those responding were pool advocates!! The off leash dog proponents who are very well organized had a huge lead in 71% of respondents. Since then swimming pool advocates have given pools a significant lead. Let our voice be heard, visit the site today! The poll will change at noon Friday morning, so please vote now.
As you may have heard, due to budget shortfalls in King County, there is movement by King County to close pools and parks. This is a threat to our sport and to the quality of life we all enjoy in the metropolitan King County area. Public forums on this issue sponsored by the Metropolitan Parks Task Force were held May 13th at Redmond High School Little Theater and on May 15th at the Lake Wilderness Community Center. On the King County site mentioned above there is a link to view these forums.
King County Executive Page
I cast a vote as well, although I'm not a King County resident (I live 2 hours from Seattle.) and indicated as such in my survey response.
The potential closing of pools in King County affects swimmers outside of the county. KCAC is truly a "regional" facility that draws in participants from throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. If you closed a King County pool, you'd take away both a practice venue for the King County swimmer as well as a meet venue for regional participants. (Half of PNA's yearly schedule is held inside King County - and the meets draw swimmers from all around Puget Sound).
The pools are not going to close tomorrow, but this is an urgent situation out here. Wish us well, but be on guard. King County, Washington may just only be the first area to actively consider closing pools. It could happen to you.
I cast a vote as well, although I'm not a King County resident (I live 2 hours from Seattle.) and indicated as such in my survey response.
The potential closing of pools in King County affects swimmers outside of the county. KCAC is truly a "regional" facility that draws in participants from throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. If you closed a King County pool, you'd take away both a practice venue for the King County swimmer as well as a meet venue for regional participants. (Half of PNA's yearly schedule is held inside King County - and the meets draw swimmers from all around Puget Sound).
The pools are not going to close tomorrow, but this is an urgent situation out here. Wish us well, but be on guard. King County, Washington may just only be the first area to actively consider closing pools. It could happen to you.
